Thibaut Courtois

[burrogol 16]

As a top player, it's only natural he wants to play.

Point being? I read you don't compare but maybe you should?

In my opinion, it's only natural for top players that they want to play (/grow, especially youngsters)?

So unless you don't consider Lukaku a top player -with similar ambition to learn/play/grow-, I miss your point?

[Barbara 15,149]

Point being? I read you don't compare but maybe you should?

In my opinion, it's only natural for top players that they want to play (/grow, especially youngsters)?

So unless you don't consider Lukaku a top player -with similar ambition to learn/play/grow-, I miss your point?

Not even close. Especially if compared to one of the best keepers in the world. Lukaku isn't among even the best strikers in England imo, let alone in the world.

He should shut up and let his football do the talking for him. If he does that, then maybe he'll indeed become one of the best players in the world. Also I explained it's different for a field player to be benched and a GK. Bench players can get 20-30 minutes per match if they often bring impact. A keeper can go months without a match. So I understand why one of the best keepers in the world wants to play, and I don't understand why a striker that is nothing special yet is demanding things in a club as Chelsea - where there's a lot of competition for positions.

[burrogol 16]

Not even close.

So I understand why one of the best keepers in the world wants to play, and I don't understand why a striker that is nothing special yet is demanding things in a club as Chelsea - where there's a lot of competition for positions.

I don't see how you can not rate him as a top player, IMO, his career and stats sofar speak for itself.

However, Despite he is definitely top IMO, I agree he s not amongst the strikers 'elite', which a club like Chelsea will always strive to have...

I think Rom's statements simply show he realizes that and has drawn the (logical) conclusion that in order to get there one day, he needs to play as much as possible, which at Chelsea doesn't look very likely to say the least. So it only makes sense to me that unlike Courtois, Lukaku has seen the light that he should move a step back now in order to grow?

I see no difference/problem however in having similar ambition (or more) than fellow 21-year old 'top players' who want to get better and be elite one day. IMO, it and his recent statements only show :

A) he's -sadly enough- understood he isn't good enough yet to be Chelsea nr1

he is very hungry to be elite one day

Put A and B together and it allows to look beyond the image of the 'supposed ludacris/self overrated youngster' and see an ambitious young guy who may has had 1 dream/illusion 'broken' but lives and breathes football so much that he'll simply fight and work for as long as it takes to be elite (/Chelsea-nr 1 striker-ready) one day...

1 basic requirement for that: playing time, as much as possible!

[Toli 977]

According to AS, Atletico have signed Oblak for 16 m euros from Benfica and will annoucne it on Monday. Means that Courtois will stay with us...

http://futbol.as.com/futbol/2014/07/12/primera/1405175266_812674.html

[Jase 43,479]

According to AS, Atletico have signed Oblak for 16 m euros from Benfica and will annoucne it on Monday. Means that Courtois will stay with us...

http://futbol.as.com/futbol/2014/07/12/primera/1405175266_812674.html

That's quite a lot of money spent there and we already knew Courtois will be playing for us next season anyway..

[Atholy 1,293]

Seriously? A handful of people doesn't mean the whole forum...

There are plenty on here that don't put Courtois in the same boat as Lukaku so you need to relax.

Figuratively way of speaking Skipper!

And I'm on a cruise in the Baltic sea at the moment... so I cannot be more relaxed

ps: Nickname wise... I hope you're not the captain of this ship... otherwise I will turn into panic mode

[Billy. 2,742]

Courtois has changed his bio to 'Chelsea FC' on Twitter

[termninja 5,290]

What a brilliant piece of business we done with Courtois both in scouting and loan to Atletico Madrid. I truly have to congratulate the club on it. Good to have him back.

[Special Juan 28,133]

Tibo

Azpi Cahill Terry Luis

Matic Fabregas

Schurlle Oscar Hazard

Costa

OR..

Tibo

Azpi Cahill Terry Luis

Matic Ramires

Schurlle Fabregas Hazard

Costa

OR...

Tibo

Azpi Cahill Terry Luis

Matic

Ramires-----Fabregas

Oscar Costa Hazard

[didierforever 7,349]

he is STILL not even on the first team list!!!

[RoyalBlues 4,050]

Courtois has changed his bio to 'Chelsea FC' on Twitter

and instagram

[RoyalBlues 4,050]

[Special Juan 28,133]

This lad coming back excites me more than any other signing we have made. I'm delighted by Costa and Fabregas arriving but just seeing a young goalkeeper as good as he is coming back is brilliant.

[Special Juan 28,133]

Just to add this also...

[BlueLion. 21,491]

and instagram

I'll follow him then. The only non-Chelsea footballer I follow is Bale, but that's because we're secretly married.