Thibaut Courtois

[bababoom 4,478]

That is what the best players in the world do, they don't sit down and accept it.

Check out some of his point blank saves this season:

Good saves but he does seem to parry shots straight instead of pushing them away from danger, thats something he needs to work on imo.

I do think he should be our keeper next season but tbh i feel for Cech, this comments don't really help.

[Pizy 18,370]

People need to stop bringing up Lukaku. Totally different scenario.

Lukaku is a striker and SHOULD have to compete for his place and prove that he's better than anyone we may bring in. Courtois HAS proven himself at the very top level and is arguably the best in his position in the world. It's one thing to score a few goals for West Brom and Everton and another being the best player on a league winning side who may also win the CL.

If you have a world class player sitting in your laps that will cost you nothing and is an upgrade on a steadily declining current player you don't pass the opportunity. Why would you not want to improve?

Obviously it wouldn't be some catastrophic mistake if he was loaned for another season and we're "stuck" with Cech, but the sooner we blood Courtois in the sooner he gets used to being a Chelsea player and playing behind his new teammates. Mourinho keeps talking about ushering in a new generation and Courtois is it.

[Mr_President 404]

He's absolutely right in what he said, it was said respectfully and it's refreshing to hear honesty rather than the stonewall non-committal BS that most players are coached to deliver in interviews. Reading the reaction here then it's not hard to see why players are coached in such a way.

[CHOULO19 24,332]

I have absolutely no problem with what he's said he was asked the question and answered it honestly. Its true too why should a club who have two world class keepers keep them both? They both deserve to play.

It would make sense to keep Cech here for at least the first half of the year just to make sure Courtois adjusts well but aside from that Courtois is clearly the future and he knows it. He not slagging Cech he has acknowledged on many occasions that he thinks he's one of the best in the world and that he shouldn't play 2nd fiddle him either.

No problem because it's honest? So you would have no problem if he goes out tomorrow and says stuff like "Chelsea ruined football by buying all their success and are now ruining it again with defensive tactics" or "Jose is disrespectful and will never be as good as Pep" or "Roman is just a mafia man who has made all his money illegally" if that's his honest opinion?

Since when is being honest with the press a good thing?!

He should not be talking about what the club and the manager should and should not do and what Cech wants and doesn't want to do next season. The answer to that question is "All my focus right now is on the CL final and after that it will be on Belgium and the WC. After the WC I'll get together with Chelsea and see what happens next season."

It's not like that's the first time he spoke about Chelsea. He's been saying stuff he shouldn't say since that first interview when he first joined and said that the club told him that Petr will not be around for long because of his elbow problem. Every other week it's either him or his father with quotes about the club in the press. And it's only ever created bad publicity for the club. He needs to do his talking on the pitch and in training and shut up elsewhere.

[Jase 43,479]

The Belgian lads really do need some PR training...

[MrBlueGuy 1,552]

No problem because it's honest? So you would have no problem if he goes out tomorrow and says stuff like "Chelsea ruined football by buying all their success and are now ruining it again with defensive tactics" or "Jose is disrespectful and will never be as good as Pep" or "Roman is just a mafia man who has made all his money illegally" if that's his honest opinion?

Since when is being honest with the press a good thing?!

He should not be talking about what the club and the manager should and should not do and what Cech wants and doesn't want to do next season. The answer to that question is "All my focus right now is on the CL final and after that it will be on Belgium and the WC. After the WC I'll get together with Chelsea and see what happens next season."

It's not like that's the first time he spoke about Chelsea. He's been saying stuff he shouldn't say since that first interview when he first joined and said that the club told him that Petr will not be around for long because of his elbow problem. Every other week it's either him or his father with quotes about the club in the press. And it's only ever created bad publicity for the club. He needs to do his talking on the pitch and in training and shut up elsewhere.

Yes because it is democracy, if he has made those comments it would have been at a different club as I doubt he would still be making that unless he suddenly develop mental problems. If that are his opinions so be it, but since they are extremely negative it isn't alright?

Btw for your 2nd point, he already said that after winning the La Liga. However, people I presumably keep asking him this question again today so obviously he would give the press what they want, no point just repeating yourself in the same manner isn't it. Everything he said is true, he didn't say to sell Cech or me. He simply said he respected Cech and believed him to be 1 of the best in the world. He was also honest about his option, he isn't gonna say I will come back and do whatever the manager tell me to do, even if it ruins my career.

And the last point is that all this talking is TO GET ON THE PITCH FOR US. If he accepted his role like Lukaku in 11-12 he will most likely be benched for Cech as Cech have a much better fan base in Stamford Bridge and bigger say in dressing room. Courtois needs to start saying these things now to show that he isn't gonna just settle for what he got and indicate to the club/manager that he isn't afraid to walk away should it not go his way. He is entirely entitled to do that.

[MrBlueGuy 1,552]

If he isn't wearing a Chelsea shirt next season, we could be making a bigger mistake than Wenger did with Ibra/Yaya or MU did with Pogba.

[The only place to be 11,313]

His comments are so innocuous that you have to respect the effort that those who are feigning offence are putting in. Seriously, he could've said so many worse things yet the only (barely) contentious thing he said was that he and Cech wouldn't want to play second fiddle to one another.

That's in the same interview that he said Cech was a legend and one of the best in the business.

The nerve of the man.

[Chelsea Legend 11 4,062]

No problem because it's honest? So you would have no problem if he goes out tomorrow and says stuff like "Chelsea ruined football by buying all their success and are now ruining it again with defensive tactics" or "Jose is disrespectful and will never be as good as Pep" or "Roman is just a mafia man who has made all his money illegally" if that's his honest opinion?

Since when is being honest with the press a good thing?!

He should not be talking about what the club and the manager should and should not do and what Cech wants and doesn't want to do next season. The answer to that question is "All my focus right now is on the CL final and after that it will be on Belgium and the WC. After the WC I'll get together with Chelsea and see what happens next season."

It's not like that's the first time he spoke about Chelsea. He's been saying stuff he shouldn't say since that first interview when he first joined and said that the club told him that Petr will not be around for long because of his elbow problem. Every other week it's either him or his father with quotes about the club in the press. And it's only ever created bad publicity for the club. He needs to do his talking on the pitch and in training and shut up elsewhere.

I think you've gone off the deep end.

What he's said is not hard for any footballing fan to deduce, he has been incredible in his team at Atletico and would be the No.1 keeper at every club in the world with the exception of maybe 3 or 4. The answer to the question according to you is remain aloof and ignore the elephant in the room. Cool, your approach, I still fail to see how what he's said has put the club in a bad position or makes him look like an asshole... Its true, we all know it and whether or not he says it doesn't change it from being a fact.

He can say whatever he likes so long as he's not slagging the club. I don't see why you folk have a problem with what he's said as if its going to damage the club in some way? I decision will be taken this summer no matter what he says and the smart decision is to sell Cech in January after Courtois has proven he can play in the Prem.

The reason why its such a contentious topic is because its a rare case. Two of the top five keepers in the world on one team! Obviously a decision has to be made.

[CHOULO19 24,332]

Yes because it is democracy, if he has made those comments it would have been at a different club as I doubt he would still be making that unless he suddenly develop mental problems. If that are his opinions so be it, but since they are extremely negative it isn't alright?

Btw for your 2nd point, he already said that after winning the La Liga. However, people I presumably keep asking him this question again today so obviously he would give the press what they want, no point just repeating yourself in the same manner isn't it. Everything he said is true, he didn't say to sell Cech or me. He simply said he respected Cech and believed him to be 1 of the best in the world. He was also honest about his option, he isn't gonna say I will come back and do whatever the manager tell me to do, even if it ruins my career.

And the last point is that all this talking is TO GET ON THE PITCH FOR US. If he accepted his role like Lukaku in 11-12 he will most likely be benched for Cech as Cech have a much better fan base in Stamford Bridge and bigger say in dressing room. Courtois needs to start saying these things now to show that he isn't gonna just settle for what he got and indicate to the club/manager that he isn't afraid to walk away should it not go his way. He is entirely entitled to do that.

1) No, it's most definitely not 'democracy'. He's first and foremost an employee for Chelsea and he has a duty to preserve the reputation and image of the club. It's in the contracts of all the players. Calling it democracy is ridiculous. Imagine all the players in the world slagging off their manager and their clubs every time they aren't picked or don't get the wages they want because its "democracy"!

2) Of course they keep asking him, they know he tends to stay stuff that he really should but that makes great headlines and articles that sell a lot. Of course there is a point in repeating that that's not what he's thing about right now, the point being not to say anything that the club wouldn't want him to and not to turn this issue of internal affairs at teh club into a public issue being debated through the press and media.

3) Completely besides the point. He can share all his concerns he wants with the club as long as he does so directly and privately, not through the media. I don't know if he is doing it intentionally or not but he is putting a lot of pressure on the club and on Jose through the media, a pressure that can influence their decisions and ultimately Chelsea's best interest.

[CHOULO19 24,332]

I think you've gone off the deep end.

What he's said is not hard for any footballing fan to deduce, he has been incredible in his team at Atletico and would be the No.1 keeper at every club in the world with the exception of maybe 3 or 4. The answer to the question according to you is remain aloof and ignore the elephant in the room. Cool, your approach, I still fail to see how what he's said has put the club in a bad position or makes him look like an asshole... Its true, we all know it and whether or not he says it doesn't change it from being a fact.

He can say whatever he likes so long as he's not slagging the club. I don't see why you folk have a problem with what he's said as if its going to damage the club in some way? I decision will be taken this summer no matter what he says and the smart decision is to sell Cech in January after Courtois has proven he can play in the Prem.

The reason why its such a contentious topic is because its a rare case. Two of the top five keepers in the world on one team! Obviously a decision has to be made.

You're missing the point. Whether or not it's true is completely besides the point. He should not be discussing the matter publicly and he certainly shouldn't be saying what decisions the club and the manager may or may not take are wrong and which are right. And if this was the first time he's said something like he did then no one would have complained but he's basically had his foot in his mouth since the day we signed him.

[SinineUltra 1,170]

Stop lactating, you are trying to see a ghost where there is none.

[MrBlueGuy 1,552]

1) No, it's most definitely not 'democracy'. He's first and foremost an employee for Chelsea and he has a duty to preserve the reputation and image of the club. It's in the contracts of all the players. Calling it democracy is ridiculous. Imagine all the players in the world slagging off their manager and their clubs every time they aren't picked or don't get the wages they want because its "democracy"!

2) Of course they keep asking him, they know he tends to stay stuff that he really should but that makes great headlines and articles that sell a lot. Of course there is a point in repeating that that's not what he's thing about right now, the point being not to say anything that the club wouldn't want him to and not to turn this issue of internal affairs at teh club into a public issue being debated through the press and media.

3) Completely besides the point. He can share all his concerns he wants with the club as long as he does so directly and privately, not through the media. I don't know if he is doing it intentionally or not but he is putting a lot of pressure on the club and on Jose through the media, a pressure that can influence their decisions and ultimately Chelsea's best interest.

1. Yes if they are being treated badly they can speak out. But not all the players will do it because they understand respect and honor.

3. As we can see, the best interest here is for Courtois to return and start every match for us. He is only doing himself a favor, not hurting anyone else. I call that being clever if you ask me, he isn't obliged to just follow whatever the club have planned for him, he needs to think about his own career too. Or maybe this is just his personality and we better accept it or let him go. Maybe he is truly this cocking person, but he is very talented so that issue could be ignored. My personal opinion is that as long as you play well, you can be as cocky as you one unless it starts to cross the line such as publicly insulting team mates, manager...etc.

[johnnythefirst 1,076]

1) No, it's most definitely not 'democracy'. He's first and foremost an employee for Chelsea and he has a duty to preserve the reputation and image of the club. It's in the contracts of all the players. Calling it democracy is ridiculous. Imagine all the players in the world slagging off their manager and their clubs every time they aren't picked or don't get the wages they want because its "democracy"!

Everyone in the world can say whatever the hell they want. They also have to face the consequences of what they say. If Chelsea really really can't handle this monstrous comments, they are free to kick his ass out. I'm sure he'll be ok.

[Chelsea Legend 11 4,062]

You're missing the point. Whether or not it's true is completely besides the point. He should not be discussing the matter publicly and he certainly shouldn't be saying what decisions the club and the manager may or may not take are wrong and which are right. And if this was the first time he's said something like he did then no one would have complained but he's basically had his foot in his mouth since the day we signed him.

You're making a mountain out of a mole hill dude. He addressed the elephant in the room big deal...

[The only place to be 11,313]

Here's his comments in full.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p01zhnm5

Personally I think he sounds very respectful towards the club and Cech. He's very complimentary and the way I inferred it was that he thought Cech would maybe stick around whilst he didn't return next season.

To me he doesn't sound like this monstrous ego demanding to be given the first-team shirt, but simply recognises the problems that having two top-class keepers brings.

[LAM09 6,754]

Is It just me, or do the majority of our Belgian players like to talk?

[laeth 527]

His tendency to parry shots straight back in-front of him needs to improve; top keepers don't do that and we'll concede goals if he does it at Chelsea....