Thibaut Courtois

[CHOULO19 24,332]

Cech will be 32 before next season. While he could without a doubt go on for at least another three or four years, maybe even a couple more if he's lucky, he's still not one for the long term and when players near the 35 year mark their decline can be fast. Courtois is ten years younger and already one of the best goalies in the world so why take a significant risk on something Cech might be able to do for around 6-7 years maximum when we already have Courtois who will definitely be able to do the same, if not even more, for around 15 years?

It's not even a question of money either. Some argue that Courtois should be sold because he will command a massive fee which could then be spent elsewhere but that's a shortsighted way of looking at it. Sure we could sell Courtois now for £20m and stick with Cech for another few years but what then, spend the same Courtois money on some up-and-comer who might not even be anywhere near the level of Thibaut? Selling Cech for around £8-10m sounds a much better option to me. I'm sure I speak for everyone around here when I say we all love Cech but if we threw sentimentality out the window it's a no-brainer really.

Because getting rid of Petr and bringing Thibaut is also a significant risk. No doubt, Courtois is performing at the level of top 7-8 if not even top 5 keepers in the world, but the fact that he's doing at another team and in a different league all together means that there is a risk of him not being able to replicate that here at Chelsea or take a season or two to adjust. Selling Cech before making sure that Thibaut can play better or at least as well as him at Chelsea is a risk.

For me, ideally, I'd have Thibaut here next season to fight for a first place with Petr. But every time I suggest that, I get told that it is physically impossible, immoral, against human nature...etc. But like I said, I'm fine with whatever Jose decides.

PS: 4-5 years is long-term in football!

[Belgiannutt 3,201]

Nothing to do with Courtois, I'm just asking how a lot of people seem sure that Petr will only play at the top level till he is 32 or 33 and not till he's 38 for example.

Another thing that people say that perplexes me is that the choice is pretty clear. We've had pages and pages of debate about the matter this season. It's obviously not an easy or clear choice.

I know but my last sentence was more a general conclusion and wasn't really meant specifically for you. (Should have been more clear, my bad)

Honestly, when you logically think about it the choice IS clear. A top quality 31 y old goalkeeper or a top quality 21 y old goalkeeper.

However people's opinions are, understandably, being clouded by sentiment.

Cech has been an important part of our success in the last 10 years. So it makes sense for people to have difficulties with this.

[Jype 6,398]

Because getting rid of Petr and bringing Thibaut is also a significant risk. No doubt, Courtois is performing at the level of top 7-8 if not even top 5 keepers in the world, but the fact that he's doing at another team and in a different league all together means that there is a risk of him not being able to replicate that here at Chelsea or take a season or two to adjust. Selling Cech before making sure that Thibaut can play better or at least as well as him at Chelsea is a risk.

For me, ideally, I'd have Thibaut here next season to fight for a first place with Petr. But every time I suggest that, I get told that it is physically impossible, immoral, against human nature...etc. But like I said, I'm fine with whatever Jose decides.

PS: 4-5 years is long-term in football!

Fair enough. Ideally Cech would stay for another year as backup to make sure Courtois is up to it while also serving as a mentor the youngster but then again, having a keeper as good as Cech as a backup would put even more pressure on Courtois because with every mistake there would be certain people (especially in the media) eating him alive by calling for his head and questioning why Cech isn't playing. If there's one manager who could make it work having two keepers that good it's Jose, so let's wait and see what happens.

PS: 15 years is longer-term.

[zolayes 14,489]

if we let Courtois leave it is a mistake we will come to regret ,, but that's only my opinion ,, Choulou knows best ..

[mccg 1,528]

Tell him he will deffo get 20 odd games plus maybe injuries or suspensions and then who is in form also,but surley he has to respect cfc and cech if he dosnt sell him for 30+mill plus add ons.respect the shirt respect the club .

[Manuf 1,448]

Cech is like a good wine.

majority of you see Thibaut saves from gifs and forget to make gifs of Petr's moments of brilliance. the most underrated player in our '12 CL campaign. still the very top in the goalkeeping world.

i will leave this here.

[dee25 1,044]

Why wouldn't he be? Atletico were intereted in buying him on a permanent transfer from Genk but we beat them to it. Had they gotten him first, he'd be exactly where he is now or alternatively he'd already have been bought by Barcelona.

He's never spent a day in his life training at Cobham with the Chelsea staff, let alone playing a game for the club, so how on earth can Chelsea take credit for his development?

That's true. I remember there were rumours about them being interested him to replace De Gea but I didn't think a bid was actually made for him? And what I mean is that I think Chelsea has been very accommodating of him. Not just in allowing him to play in the super cup but they very well could have brought him back this season but were mindful of his wishes to play regularly in a world cup season. While they can't take credit for his development, I think they've done everything they can to put him on the right trajectory.

Anyway the club has made their proposal to Courtois. Regardless, of how talented he is, I don't think they should allow themselves to be held to ransom. Why should they be rushed into doing something they're not prepared to do? Just for the fear of losing out on a top goalkeeper? When, they think the time is right to move Cech on, they will. If Courtois isn't prepared to deputize for Cech for a short time, then believe me, I think we'll survive without him.

I personally think it's important that Cech remains as 1st choice for several reasons. The main one being that I would like to see Zouma gradually integrated rather than farmed out and I would also like to see us bring in Shaw. If Courtois is no. 1, and if Shaw & Zouma are going to be given sufficient playing time....that's a lot of changes to our back five. It just makes more sense to me to first work on phasing out players like Cole and Terry before even touching Cech. Courtois being no.1 next season isn't going to improve the team.

[LukakutoStamford 779]

I'm not sure what else Courtois has to do short of winning the World Cup. la Liga, or the Champions League to demonstrate he's proven?

Courtois is well beyond where the greatest Belgian Keepers, Pfaff and Preudhomme, were at the same age, and those two were world class caliber.

I get the sentiment re: Cech but the shrewd business move is to go with the young proven keeper because he's got 15 years left and Cech might have 5-7

[The only place to be 11,313]

If he is coming back, I'm not sure how we keep two top class keepers happy. I'm also unsure how we let them 'fight for the shirt' in a realistic way. In that spot you want one thing - certainty. The number one needs to be undisputed in my opinion. We talk about spines and keepers are an integral part of that. How many times do you think the cameras would be trained on the keeper who is on the bench waiting for the slightest slip-up from the guy in goal? It's just one more unnecessary narrative we don't need.

So who do we go with? Who is the better keeper at this moment in time? A year or so ago it would have been Cech unanimously but now I'm not so sure. Cech's already been dropped once this season and deservedly so. He's made more errors in half a season than I can remember him making in years.

My view is that if the talent level is comparable then you probably go with the guy who is 21 and not 31. Keep Schwarzer as back-up, let Cech leave and build for the future.

Plus the Cudicini/Cech comparisons aren't fair. Cudicini got injured and Cech has the chance to stake a claim for the shirt without competition. In my view that's what Courtois could probably do with.

[kellzfresh 7,229]

http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11095/9151974/world-cup-thibaut- courtois-hits-back-at-simon-mignolets- belgium-claims

Thibaut Courtois has hit back at Liverpool goalkeeper Simon Mignolet for saying that he was eyeing up his Belgium number one jersey.

Courtois, who is currently on loan at Atletico Madrid from Chelsea, has been Belgium's first-choice stopper since Marc Wilmots took charge in 2012 but he faces stiff competition from Mignolet, who moved to Anfield last summer.

With the World Cup approaching, the Liverpool goalkeeper had spoken out about his hopes of dislodging the 21-year-old from the team in time for the trip to Brazil.

However, Courtois believes that he remains in pole position for the tournament and thinks that Mignolet should take heed from the attitudes of the current world champions' goalkeeping fraternity.

"In Spain, I hear no goalkeeper saying they're aiming for the place of Casillas," he told Sport/Foot Magazine.

"Not De Gea, not Valdes, not Reina. It's the opposite - they back Casillas.

"Simon can say whatever he wants, but I think I've already saved enough points for Belgium and I'm playing good games for Atletico. He has to stay humble and respectful."

Oooouch!! Him and lukaku need serious PR training

[bababoom 4,478]

Should of saved Reals second goal, went under him.

Also Costa is far too easy to wind up, but saying that, the likes of Pepe, Di maria and Ramos are probably the most hated players in football... some of their antics are disgusting.

[robsblubot 3,530]

http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11095/9151974/world-cup-thibaut- courtois-hits-back-at-simon-mignolets- belgium-claims

Oooouch!!

Courtois is out of line actually. Liverpool's gk is just stating his ambition and wanting to become #1 keeper for his country is expected of him. What does Courtois want?!

Man these kids need some PR lessons ASAP

[bababoom 4,478]

He does seem like a bit of a diva, doesn't he?

[iseah100 5,612]

Should of saved Reals second goal, went under him.

Also Costa is far too easy to wind up, but saying that, the likes of Pepe, Di maria and Ramos are probably the most hated players in football... some of their antics are disgusting.

http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11095/9151974/world-cup-thibaut- courtois-hits-back-at-simon-mignolets- belgium-claims

Oooouch!!

Courtois is out of line actually. Liverpool's keep is just stating his ambition and wanting to become #1 keeper for his country is expected of him. What does Courtois want?!

Man these kids need some PR lessons ASAP

He does seem like a bit of a diva, doesn't he?

He's just saying he's the best Belgian GK? How is he a diva? Also today vs Madrid, score line looks real bad but 2 deflections went against him. Shame. Also, I can't wait to get Costa!!! Dude is a pitbull haha he'll beat some ass in the EPL.

[Jase 43,479]

http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11095/9151974/world-cup-thibaut- courtois-hits-back-at-simon-mignolets- belgium-claims

Oooouch!!

If that is not a mistranslated version of the interview, then I'm sorry, Courtois is really acting like a prick. Majority of his comments in the media always seem to smack of arrogance and him having a mega size ego. It's getting ridiculous and annoying.

[bababoom 4,478]

Casillas is a legend for spain, of course the likes of De gea, Valdes and Reina are not going to say anything.

Courtois is being a tad arrogant imo, mignolet just stated he wants to to be #1, nothing wrong with that at all. Once Courtois has won a world cup and two european cups, than he can compare himself with Casillas.

[AswinR 96]

Cech will be 32 before next season. While he could without a doubt go on for at least another three or four years, maybe even a couple more if he's lucky, he's still not one for the long term and when players near the 35 year mark their decline can be fast. Courtois is ten years younger and already one of the best goalies in the world so why take a significant risk on something Cech might be able to do for around 6-7 years maximum when we already have Courtois who will definitely be able to do the same, if not even more, for around 15 years?

It's not even a question of money either. Some argue that Courtois should be sold because he will command a massive fee which could then be spent elsewhere but that's a shortsighted way of looking at it. Sure we could sell Courtois now for £20m and stick with Cech for another few years but what then, spend the same Courtois money on some up-and-comer who might not even be anywhere near the level of Thibaut? Selling Cech for around £8-10m sounds a much better option to me. I'm sure I speak for everyone around here when I say we all love Cech but if we threw sentimentality out the window it's a no-brainer really.

dude do you remember vander sar? keepers are usually said to be matured at around 30-32 !!

courtois is awesome... unlike what ppl say here he is proven he is worldclass... he is rated as top 5 keepers..(cech not in it..!)

but any time between today and next 7 years I would not pick courtois or any bloody keeper in this world over cech!!!

you dont beat experience man....its one thing you cant buy ...you have to earn it ..live it... cech makes mistakes(crazy ones sometimes...remember mancity first 10 mins!!) but when it matters he steps up his game to a whole new unbelievable level...

...less than 2yrs is short term and anything more is long term(i get it...u meant 6-7>15 years) but still thats looking too far into future....

intent from mourinho and club is pretty clear..whenever above 30 yrs contract is being discussed and the new rule of annual renewal is being brought up...cech is not put in that list...he is discussed as a 25 yr old player entering his prime....

dont undervalue what we got because we are blinded by a rising prodigee.....

[The Chels 2,502]

If we came up against Atletico in the Champions League, would Courtois be eligible to play against us?