Thibaut Courtois

[The Skipper 20,593]

Is he better than Cech now? If we actually brought him back and played him, would we be better?

They are pretty much on the same level IMO. Cech edges it because of experience.

[The only place to be 11,313]

They are pretty much on the same level IMO. Cech edges it because of experience.

Then if they're on the same level we should use the younger player who will be more likely to improve. He should be the type of player we build the future of this club around.

[dee25 1,044]

Is he better than Cech now? If we actually brought him back and played him, would we be better?

I know people will disagree with this, but I don't think he'll improve us if he were to come in next season. Looking at our starting back four right now, there's some uncertainly about who will continue to be 1st choice next season. We don't know if Luiz will even be here, we don't know if Terry and Cahill will continue to be the 1st choice centre back pairing and most likely a new left back will be added to the fold along with Zouma being phased in. My point is that we'll probably see some changes. I don't see Mourinho changing the goalkeeper as well. If we had a settled back four then you can afford to do so but right now that shouldn't be priority. The plan is to build a strong challenge for the title next season, my fear is that if we change our goalkeeper on top of the other personnel changes that will likely happen in our defence, then we're going to be forever stuck in transition.

Eventually Cech will need to be replaced, but now is not the time to do so.

[The only place to be 11,313]

I know people will disagree with this, but I don't think he'll improve us if he were to come in next season. Looking at our starting back four right now, there's some uncertainly about who will continue to be 1st choice next season. We don't know if Luiz will even be here, we don't know if Terry and Cahill will continue to be the 1st choice centre back pairing and most likely a new left back will be added to the fold along with Zouma being phased in. My point is that we'll probably see some changes. I don't see Mourinho changing the goalkeeper as well. If we had a settled back four then you can afford to do so but right now that shouldn't be priority. The plan is to build a strong challenge for the title next season, my fear is that if we change our goalkeeper on top of the other personnel changes that will likely happen in our defence, then we're going to be forever stuck in transition.

Eventually Cech will need to be replaced, but now is not the time to do so.

So we should put next season's potential success above long-term stability in the GK position?

Right now Atletico are joint top of La Liga, probably through to the next round of the CL and in the summer Belgium will be in the World Cup. In each of these Courtois is a key figure.

Cech on the other hand has made more mistakes this season than I can remember him making in any other season. He's actually been dropped for the first time I can remember (or rested to give Schwarzer a CL debut....it's actually hard to tell because he was at fault for the first goal against Stoke). Here's another question - is Cech actually getting worse? He doesn't seem to be approaching that golden age for keepers in their 30s.

I think there's a solid case to be made that Courtois is the better keeper right now (and there are stats to back that up as well) and the guy is still only 21???? That's phenomenal and the argument that Cech is entering his prime can be used to suggest that it's highly likely Courtois will actually get better.

Courtois has achieved more at 21 than Cech did. He's arguably the better keeper at this moment in time. Selling him just tastes funny.

[Sheva. 5,373]

Guy's immense but if we get a crazy £40m offer I wouldn't mind selling him because it means funds so we can reinforce in other areas.

If Cech can stay healthy for around a decade it's good business. At the same time I wouldn't mind if we got like a £20m offer for Cech and held onto Courtois. It'll be interesting to see what happens.

20m? 40m? for a GK?

Highly unrealistic.

[Magic Lamps 11,677]

Who the fuck is Neuer? keepers like him occur in Germany every few years. Courtois is easily the best goalie in the world.

[dee25 1,044]

So we should put next season's potential success above long-term stability in the GK position?

Definitely.

We've been in transition for a few years now and I just feel like one of the priorities next season shouldn't be about replacing an older excellent keeper with a younger excellent goalkeeper.

In my opinion, I think that's a luxury we're not in a position to afford. In the past 2 seasons we've finished 6th & 3rd and we're only now getting back to building a sustained title challenge. It's important that next season we build on that and in order to do so the priority then needs to be about strengthening central midfield, bringing in a left back, a centre forward and also we need to find a replacement for J.T - those are the pressing issues of concern. Long-term stability in the GK position? That's like fussing over the color of paint in your house when there's a leak that hasn't fully been fixed.

Mourinho has made a lot of promises for next season. I would be gobsmacked if he replaced a keeper we've had for 10 years in a season that he has big hopes for.

The best option for us is to negotiate a contract extension with Courtois, loan him out again and look to start phasing Cech out next season.

[HD3D 1,038]

I don't care what people say, I would be so fucking mad if we sell this guy.

- He's on the same level as Cech but not better (yet?).

- He has made it clear he will not come to Chelsea unless he is given the number 1 goalkeeper status.

- Cech still has at least 6 or 7 years of good form in him, which gives us plenty of time to find another world class goalkeeper.

I think no matter what happens, the future of Courtois will be decided this very next summer. Even though he has a brilliant future ahead of him, his attitude and unwillingness to fight for a spot in the team is problematic. This is the type of player who, under no circumstances, would tolerate being benched by the manager. Mourinho has had to deal with one self-righteous and arrogant goalkeeper before and it was catastrophic for the club.

That said, I wouldn't like it if we sold him but if we got 40m for him, I wouldn't question the decision either.

[Mong630 7]

So we should put next season's potential success above long-term stability in the GK position?

Right now Atletico are joint top of La Liga, probably through to the next round of the CL and in the summer Belgium will be in the World Cup. In each of these Courtois is a key figure.

Cech on the other hand has made more mistakes this season than I can remember him making in any other season. He's actually been dropped for the first time I can remember (or rested to give Schwarzer a CL debut....it's actually hard to tell because he was at fault for the first goal against Stoke). Here's another question - is Cech actually getting worse? He doesn't seem to be approaching that golden age for keepers in their 30s.

I think there's a solid case to be made that Courtois is the better keeper right now (and there are stats to back that up as well) and the guy is still only 21???? That's phenomenal and the argument that Cech is entering his prime can be used to suggest that it's highly likely Courtois will actually get better.

Courtois has achieved more at 21 than Cech did. He's arguably the better keeper at this moment in time. Selling him just tastes funny.

This x100

Cech still is a great keeper and one of the best in the league but I see a lot more mistakes than before.

I might be a bit biased being belgian but i sincerely believe courtois is already a bit better.

[The only place to be 11,313]

Definitely.

We've been in transition for a few years now and I just feel like the priority next season shouldn't be about replacing an older excellent keeper with a younger excellent goalkeeper.

In my opinion, I think that's a luxury we're not in a position to afford. In the past 2 seasons we've finished 6th & 3rd and we're only now getting back to building a sustained title challenge. It's important that next season we build on that and in order to do so the priority then needs to be about straightening central midfield, bringing in a left back, a centre forward and also we need to find a replacement for J.T - those are the pressing issues of concern. Long-term stability in the GK position? That's like fussing over the color of paint in your house when there's a leak that hasn't fully been fixed.

Mourinho has made a lot of promises for next season. I would be gobsmacked if he replaced a keeper we've had for 10 years in a season that he has big hopes for.

The best option for us is to negotiate a contract extension with Courtois, loan him out again and look to start phasing Cech out next season.

The goalkeeper isn't the paint, it's the foundations. We have a chance to move from one world-class keeper to another in a way no other team has ever managed. Two decades of solidity at that position is something very few teams are able to achieve, and not at such small cost.

Imagine we did sell Cech for £10 million - that covers the cost of buying Courtois. Bayern ended up paying £20 million to replace Kahn. In the long-term that's a great move. I also don't think switching keepers is that big a deal if we do it decisively.

In fact I think your short-termist thinking is a step backwards to the bad old days of a few seasons ago.

The best option for us is to negotiate a contract extension with Courtois, loan him out again and look to start phasing Cech out next season.

Would you like to pay Courtois in rainbows or hugs? I mean if we're going to negotiate a new contract with a keeper who has stated he wants certainty (and deserves it in my opinion) then you may as well go full-on with that fantasy. He has two years on his contract left. If he isn't being brought back to play for us then he shouldn't sign a contract. In fact if he's being advised any differently then he needs to sack his advisors.

[robsblubot 3,544]

The goalkeeper isn't the paint, it's the foundations. We have a chance to move from one world-class keeper to another in a way no other team has ever managed. Two decades of solidity at that position is something very few teams are able to achieve, and not at such small cost.

Imagine we did sell Cech for £10 million - that covers the cost of buying Courtois. Bayern ended up paying £20 million to replace Kahn. In the long-term that's a great move. I also don't think switching keepers is that big a deal if we do it decisively.

In fact I think your short-termist thinking is a step backwards to the bad old days of a few seasons ago.

Would you like to pay Courtois in rainbows or hugs? I mean if we're going to negotiate a new contract with a keeper who has stated he wants certainty (and deserves it in my opinion) then you may as well go full-on with that fantasy. He has two years on his contract left. If he isn't being brought back to play for us then he shouldn't sign a contract. In fact if he's being advised any differently then he needs to sack his advisors.

While I completely agree with what you wrote, I'm not sure I can see Jose letting Cech go in the season he claims we are going to be ready for (next one).

Wondering if something can be worked out with Cech -like a long term contract Rotation/backup... far fetched I know.

[sutro 1,026]

Atletico lost 2 games recently, courtois was injuried in both games, says it all.

Im quite sure they would have lost last night also without him

[duo11bluecl 207]

While I completely agree with what you wrote, I'm not sure I can see Jose letting Cech go in the season he claims we are going to be ready for (next one).

Wondering if something can be worked out with Cech -like a long term contract Rotation/backup... far fetched I know.

Actually the idea of Cech as back up isn't really that bad, it is just his attitude though, he is a really nice guy as far as I can remember but how would he react now if he suddenly got benched for no reason other than Courtois is better than him atm? Would he just do a Cole now and accept it, preparing to leave if his situation doesn't change or go full on battle like Lampard did to AVB?

If it is the 1st case then it would be great and hopefully happens, but I could also see the latter as well and there will only be 1 winner, his name is Jose(well unless he is sacked) Best option is to sell Cech to PSG for 20m and make Courtois staying here for the next 15 years.

[zolayes 14,489]

Jose has let Essien go and it looks like Cole and Lamps might follow ,,thats why I believe he MAY take Courtois over Cech

[dee25 1,044]

The goalkeeper isn't the paint, it's the foundations. We have a chance to move from one world-class keeper to another in a way no other team has ever managed. Two decades of solidity at that position is something very few teams are able to achieve, and not at such small cost.

Imagine we did sell Cech for £10 million - that covers the cost of buying Courtois. Bayern ended up paying £20 million to replace Kahn. In the long-term that's a great move. I also don't think switching keepers is that big a deal if we do it decisively.

I think much of goalkeeping success is down to the relationship between the keeper and the defenders - i.e the comfortability level of the keeper in communicating and commanding his defenders. Replacing a keeper that has been 1st choice for a decade, IS a very big deal and one that is likely to have larger implications. Also, I'm prioritizing the development of players like Zouma and (hopefully) Luke Shaw over a goalkeeping change, how is that evident of short termism? How is arguing that we should focus on building continuity, giving sufficient opportunities to the young players that we already have in our rooster and strengthening weak areas in the team a focus on the short term?

Would you like to pay Courtois in rainbows or hugs? I mean if we're going to negotiate a new contract with a keeper who has stated he wants certainty (and deserves it in my opinion) then you may as well go full-on with that fantasy. He has two years on his contract left. If he isn't being brought back to play for us then he shouldn't sign a contract. In fact if he's being advised any differently then he needs to sack his advisors.

Well I don't know, kind of was thinking about paying him with cash, but yeah if he does accept hugs, that would be even better.

[duo11bluecl 207]

Jose has let Essien go and it looks like Cole and Lamps might follow ,,thats why I believe he MAY take Courtois over Cech

Well at the end of Sep Cole was 1st choice and Dave didn't even play for more than 20 mins yet I think, after that Arsenal game he is now 1st choice for pretty much every single match, same happened with Varane/Pepe at Madrid last season. So imo Courtois shouldn't be so quick to just want out or play straight away in the summer, give it at least until Jan next year and if he fells out like Kevin,Mata then we can sold him(providing Cech is doing well himself by then) but not this summer imo. Btw tbf Essien was never the same after 2010 injury. That pass against Southampton ended his Chelsea career effectively. Cole as well after losing his place and going to Arsenal party, Lampard will probably be given a new 1 year deal if he doesn't pick up any injury from now to the end of the season.

[The only place to be 11,313]

I think much of goalkeeping success is down to the relationship between the keeper and the defenders - i.e the comfortability level of the keeper in communicating and commanding his defenders. Replacing a keeper that has been 1st choice for a decade, IS a very big deal and one that is likely to have larger implications. Also, I'm prioritizing the development of players like Zouma and (hopefully) Luke Shaw over a goalkeeping change, how is that evident of short termism? How is arguing that we should focus on building continuity, giving sufficient opportunities to the young players that we already have in our rooster and strengthening weak areas in the team a focus on the short term?

But if we're going to introduce Zouma and Shaw then why not go with Courtois as well? Develop that relationship now and let them loose for the next decade.

As it is Luiz and Cech have played together for more than 3 years now and looked like strangers against West Brom. I think I'd rather we go with the better player and right now that looks increasingly like it's Courtois.

Well I don't know, kind of was thinking about paying him with cash, but yeah if he does accept hugs, that would be even better.

He has two years left on his contract and wants certainty in his future. Why would he sign a new contract with us? He wouldn't, so you're saying we should just let him go this summer and hope that Cech's decline is nothing more than a temporary blip.

[dee25 1,044]

But if we're going to introduce Zouma and Shaw then why not go with Courtois as well? Develop that relationship now and let them loose for the next decade.

As it is Luiz and Cech have played together for more than 3 years now and looked like strangers against West Brom. I think I'd rather we go with the better player and right now that looks increasingly like it's Courtois.

I can't see Mourinho playing Zouma, Shaw and Courtios. I just can't see him making three personnel (and very young ones at that) changes to the back five particularly in a season that he's already said he wants the team to be considered strong favorites from the start - and If it were between Zouma-Shaw or Courtios, then for me the former. I think acquiring Shaw and integrating Zouma are more needed pieces for both the present and future than the replacement of Cech, who might not be performing at the same level he once was but still remains a class keeper with a good few years left (enough time for us to secure another replacement, assuming we sell Courtios).

He has two years left on his contract and wants certainty in his future. Why would he sign a new contract with us? He wouldn't, so you're saying we should just let him go this summer and hope that Cech's decline is nothing more than a temporary blip.

Honestly I don't have a strong stance on this issue. I do hope the club is able to work something out because it would be a major blow to lose a talented keeper....but I would be very surprised if come beginning of the season, Cech isn't no. 1. You never know though.