Thibaut Courtois

[Styles 9,790]

11 hours ago, DYC. said:

He's still world-class. Just going through a rough patch. Happens to everyone,

But he is weak in situations where he has to come off his line yeah (except for saving 1-on-1 shots). Cech was the same though.

One of the best young keepers? Sure. But world class? Nah.

And this supposed rough patch has been going on for quite some time now. At some point we have to accept that some players aren't just out of form but are actually performing at their real level.

[Fulham Broadway 16,945]

I saw their first goal as a bad decision by Azpilicueta to go across to their winger, rather than holding his position more centrally. By dashing across, he left the middle completely open. It was a fantastic ball from the winger, that was always curling away from Courtois. He had to try and win the ball, because of the position our non-existent defence put him in

[Special Juan 27,449]

Courtois just completely misjudged the curl and pace of the ball. I'm firmly in the camp of 'Needs to be a lot better'

 

[Henrique 9,133]

I always thought Courtois becoming a starting GK instead of Cech was a mistake. Cech was only 32 back then (thats far from old for a GK, since world class GKs can play at high levels even at 40), and I was not convinced Courtois was THAT better than Cech. Cech was a club legend, and I think he was the kind of player that you put on the bench only if there is someone way better available and I dont think its the case when we compare Cech and Courtois. 

For the past 2 seasons Courtois has been making some decisions and performances that wont let you put him in the "world class" club. In the same game he can make an impossible save, and in the next minute concede a silly goal.

[DYC. 7,542]

10 hours ago, Styles said:

One of the best young keepers? Sure. But world class? Nah.

And this supposed rough patch has been going on for quite some time now. At some point we have to accept that some players aren't just out of form but are actually performing at their real level.

Yeah, world-class. He was brilliant in his time at Atletico and his first season for Chelsea.

It has but it happens. Cech went years not looking like himself and then got back on top. De Gea was ridiculed not too long ago (I love how he is now so easily forgiven for a mistake). Even Buffon. I remember when people said he was past it. And it's not just goalkeepers. Drogba was frustrating for a few years for example. There's not a player around that hasn't gone through it.

Courtois is very young and has been on a constant and rapid rise since he was a teenager. I'm not surprised he's going through this. I'm confident he'll bounce back.

[Styles 9,790]

5 hours ago, DYC. said:

Yeah, world-class. He was brilliant in his time at Atletico and his first season for Chelsea.

It has but it happens. Cech went years not looking like himself and then got back on top. De Gea was ridiculed not too long ago (I love how he now so easily gets forgiven for a mistake). Even Buffon. I remember when people said he was past it. And it's not just goalkeepers. Drogba was frustrating for a few years for example. There's not a player around that hasn't gone through it.

Courtois is very young and has been on a constant and rapid rise since he was a teenager. I'm not surprised he's going through this. I'm confident he'll bounce back.

His time at Atletico coincided with them having an unbelievable defensive set-up. Courtois was better protected than any other goalkeeper in Europe. He was solid in the first year at Chelsea - I wouldn't say brilliant but to each their own.

But what world class keeper do you know that hardly ever makes a telling contribution? A penalty save here? A crucial stop there when we're under the cosh? He hardly ever does these things. That's what separates the good from the truly world class. He's no better than Begovic.

As for Cech, he had his head caved and in my opinion, was better than Courtois is now during those 'bad years'.

[DYC. 7,542]

16 minutes ago, Styles said:

His time at Atletico coincided with them having an unbelievable defensive set-up. Courtois was better protected than any other goalkeeper in Europe. He was solid in the first year at Chelsea - I wouldn't say brilliant but to each their own.

But what world class keeper do you know that hardly ever makes a telling contribution? A penalty save here? A crucial stop there when we're under the cosh? He hardly ever does these things. That's what separates the good from the truly world class. He's no better than Begovic.

As for Cech, he had his head caved and in my opinion, was better than Courtois is now during those 'bad years'.

I dislike that argument so much. Cech had an amazing defence/defensive system in front of him as well (Roman's Chelsea part I). Yet praising him as the best GK in the world at the time was a popular opinion, especially among Chelsea fans of course. Buffon has played with amazing defences in front of him as well, including legendary defenders like Maldini, Nesta, Cannavaro etc. He was still dubbed as one of the greatest GKs, if not the greatest, of all time. And rightfully so. Genuinely great goalkeeping is great goalkeeping, period.

He was delivering great contributions when he was in top form. I remember when he was an absolute force at coming off his line quickly to close down space and safe 1-on-1's. Also pulling amazing highlight saves from time to time. His positioning is normally so great he doesn't need those Hollywood saves though. Imperial in the air as well (a GK failing in that aspect from time to time is not uncommon). He was even stopping penalties. Seriously Styles, what's with the short memory? He wasn't flawless, had some infuriating moments, but who doesn't?

Mehh, I disagree. Even now, Cech is far from his prime. He looks quite mortal nowadays and he was worse in his off days. He's still great though, don't get me wrong.

[BlueLyon 9,359]

Tibo never actualy proved that he is better than Cech. He just put ultimatum to club either to play in first 11 or leave for atletico. 

The boy has damn lot to prove, he has quality, but his confidence is low and his head not focused. 

When we had Cech, you knew he will be reliable, with Tibo, you cant tell.

[Tautvix 1,321]

I don't agree with people saying Cech was reliable. He was never reliable since his head injury. Cech is always afraid to leave the goal and catch the ball which led to a lot of goals at Chelsea. And look at Arsenal now. He makes a lot of mistakes. Talking about Courtois, he looked like a great goalkeeper in his 1st season at Chelsea. He was close to Neuer and De Gea level but these 2 are head and shoulders above Courtois now. Still wouldn't want Cech instead of Courtois.

[y10edn 185]

Has Courtois ever saved a penalty for Chelsea?

[Tomo 21,733]

On 12/09/2016 at 9:42 PM, Styles said:

His time at Atletico coincided with them having an unbelievable defensive set-up. Courtois was better protected than any other goalkeeper in Europe. He was solid in the first year at Chelsea - I wouldn't say brilliant but to each their own.

But what world class keeper do you know that hardly ever makes a telling contribution? A penalty save here? A crucial stop there when we're under the cosh? He hardly ever does these things. That's what separates the good from the truly world class. He's no better than Begovic.

As for Cech, he had his head caved and in my opinion, was better than Courtois is now during those 'bad years'.

Cechs first few years here he had the best defensive set up in English football history protecting him, also the one time he played behind an underperforming defense here (under AVB) coincided in the worst form of his career especially that game vs Arsenal when he had five shots to deal with and let them all in.

Im happy with the choice we made and despite that I do admit there's valid arguments both ends, but it's a bit harsh to cite the defense at Leti considering Cech benefitted from an even better back line, also I don't think Cech would have coped any better last season the way we defended.

[AWorriedChelseaFan 151]

3 hours ago, y10edn said:

Has Courtois ever saved a penalty for Chelsea?

Yeah, against WBA away match last season. We won 3-2 thanks to goals from Pedro, Costa and Azpi.

[Essien19 1,415]

Some guys seem to be of the opinion that Henderson's strike could have been saved? Looked impossible to me, though.

[Johnnyeye 7,451]

13 minutes ago, Essien19 said:

Some guys seem to be of the opinion that Henderson's strike could have been saved? Looked impossible to me, though.

No goalkeeper would have saved that, not even Neuer, it was that good and milimetric.

[Special Juan 27,449]

No chance for the Henderson strike. He will not score a goal like that again in his career, I'm telling you. What's more worrying is Henderson looks top class as opposed to what we have.

[Jase 43,479]

6 hours ago, Essien19 said:

Some guys seem to be of the opinion that Henderson's strike could have been saved? Looked impossible to me, though.

He tried saving it with the wrong hand? He went with his right, didn't he? MIGHT have gotten a touch and tipped it over if he had gone with his left.

[Wallosh 0]

He tried saving it with the wrong hand? He went with his right, didn't he? MIGHT have gotten a touch and tipped it over if he had gone with his left.

I agree with your point. Look at the replay again. When Henderson got the ball Courtois knew he might shoot from there yet he failed to position himself. Similar to the goal he conceded against Sunderland last season.

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[Styles 9,790]

Don't know why you guys are talking about the second goal when it was their first goal that could have been saved.