Thibaut Courtois

[Hamilton 2,120]

We need to quit his enjoyment over there as soon as possible..

[OneMoSalah 8,837]

The way I see this, we loan him to a PL team maybe Everton or Fulham 2013-14 season maybe then take him back season 2014-15. If we don't then he will go, no doubt about it.

Hes an absolute giant of a keeper, how will he struggle with the roughness of the PL, hes what 6 ft 5? Absolute animal, handling great, great at collecting crosses etc. Shot stopping is excellent along with his decision making.

[Mufassir08 2,400]

  On 25/01/2013 at 16:15, Leif said:

Cech is a Chelsea legend. He's accomplished pretty much everything he can do with us. Now it's time for a new legend to be made. Simple.

Sentiment doesn't win titles.

Very much this!

[chelsea_4_eva 1,167]

Cech will always be a chelsea legend, he has won every major title here and accomplished a lot here. I feel it's time to pass the torch to a worthy prodigy.

[Strike 7,315]

  On 25/01/2013 at 09:54, The only place to be said:

Who replaced Seaman?

How long did it take United to replace Schmeichel?

When will they replace Van Der Sar (because spending £17 million doesn't seem to have done it)?

Top-class goalkeepers don't come around very often, as you've alluded to in your post. What's even rarer is for a club to transition from on top-class keeper to another, and what Chelsea have done is fairly impressive. We've got a 30 year old who won the Champions League and a 20 year old with 7 international caps, nearly 100 appearances for a top Spanish side (by the end of this season) and a Europa League winner's medal.

So it doesn't make zero sense. It actually makes long-term sense and economic sense to replace Cech, but there's also a case for keeping him and selling Cech. It's not a no-brainer as some people want to make it out to be.

The first thing to do before we jump to the conclusion of Courtois replacing Cech is to send him on loan to a Premier League club next season. We can't have another de Gea situation here. let him cope in the PL for a year and then he will be ready

as for the decision between keeping cech or keeping courtois - the answer is simple. judge courtois on a season in the PL. if he is good, sell cech and keep courtois as he will cement the GK spot for the next decade

if courtois struggles, then keep cech and move courtois on

if it's in between keep both cech and courtois for a year before taking the decision

[Greyco 143]

  On 26/01/2013 at 08:20, Strike said:

The first thing to do before we jump to the conclusion of Courtois replacing Cech is to send him on loan to a Premier League club next season. We can't have another de Gea situation here. let him cope in the PL for a year and then he will be ready

as for the decision between keeping cech or keeping courtois - the answer is simple. judge courtois on a season in the PL. if he is good, sell cech and keep courtois as he will cement the GK spot for the next decade

if courtois struggles, then keep cech and move courtois on

if it's in between keep both cech and courtois for a year before taking the decision

And you believe Courtois is just going to accept that?

Like I said in this thread before: Courtois is an a fierce competitive battle with Sunderlands Mignolet for the GK spot in Belgium's starting 11. Next year they look to go to the world cup with arguably their best squad in history, hoping to emulate or surpass the achievements of the 1986 side which reached the semi-finals.

At the moment he is:

- Incredibly highly rated by press, media and oppossition in Spain, thus being linked to both Real Madrid as Barcelona

- A fan favourite at Atletico

- Enjoying himself and settled extremely well with his fellow pro's

- Competing for trophies

- Playing in a side that is, imo, at the moment a better side than Chelsea

- A starter for Belgium

- Getting paid a very nice salary by Atletico

- Qualifying for Champions League next year.

And he's supposed to just give that up to go to a depressing midtable side in England with little chance of glory? Thus even risking his spot for the upcoming world cup with Belgium? The few comments he made the past weeks already indicate he prefers to stay on a 3rd year at Atletico, and none should blame him for that. Why trade all he has in?

[Strike 7,315]

  On 26/01/2013 at 09:10, Greyco said:

And you believe Courtois is just going to accept that?

Like I said in this thread before: Courtois is an a fierce competitive battle with Sunderlands Mignolet for the GK spot in Belgium's starting 11. Next year they look to go to the world cup with arguably their best squad in history, hoping to emulate or surpass the achievements of the 1986 side which reached the semi-finals.

At the moment he is:

- Incredibly highly rated by press, media and oppossition in Spain, thus being linked to both Real Madrid as Barcelona

- A fan favourite at Atletico

- Enjoying himself and settled extremely well with his fellow pro's

- Competing for trophies

- Playing in a side that is, imo, at the moment a better side than Chelsea

- A starter for Belgium

- Getting paid a very nice salary by Atletico

- Qualifying for Champions League next year.

And he's supposed to just give that up to go to a depressing midtable side in England with little chance of glory? Thus even risking his spot for the upcoming world cup with Belgium? The few comments he made the past weeks already indicate he prefers to stay on a 3rd year at Atletico, and none should blame him for that. Why trade all he has in?

that was my opinion on what should be done. hadn't considered Courtois side of the story.

he would prefer to stay with Atletico i presume and we would be looking to keep it as a 'loan' for as long as possible. he has belgian friends here and has expressed interest in becoming Chelsea #1 in the future. the club should look to move Cech on and get Courtois in between the sticks by the start of the 2014-15 season

[mediator 2,026]

Just sell him to athletico + torres + cash for Falcao. Win-win situation for both sides and for Thibaut

[The only place to be 11,313]

I think it would be incredibly unfair on Courtois to take him from Athletico and lump him at West Ham or Stoke or even Everton. He's better than that at the moment - you're essentially asking a guy to leave the second-best team in Spain, the Champions League, a nice city and an adoring fanbase to possibly go to some northern shithole who are are beneath him in many regards.

If that's what we're expecting of him, then we should probably just sell him. As I've said previously, it's a luxury problem but it's a real toughie.

[SinineUltra 1,170]

Im just glad we are facing this 'problem' of having 2 world class keepers.

[Jack Uzzi 54]

Belgium's goalkeeper coach (also the goalkeeper coach of FC Bruges) was 'fired' or replaced last week. Because of disagreement with first team coach Wilmots apparently. One of things that transpired was that he wanted to keep Mignolet as first keeper, "technically better" in his judgment, whereas Wilmots chose to opt for Courtois (who did extremely well by the way).

I think Courtois strongest points are his reflexes and concentration. He's probably good at long balls too mostly because of his length. One thing I was not impressed with were his game relances (kicking out fast or throwing). Another that was said before is that he's a bit slow to get to the floor but I am not sure if that's still valid. Any opinion on this from people who've watched him enought at Atletico?

When I look at Courtois, I really see a copy of Van der Sar. And that's a good thing. Also, for that very reason, strange that Ferguson did not notice him and paid such a crazy sum for De Gea. Very curious to see how his career will evolve further!

[zolayes 14,489]

  On 26/01/2013 at 09:10, Greyco said:

And you believe Courtois is just going to accept that?

Like I said in this thread before: Courtois is an a fierce competitive battle with Sunderlands Mignolet for the GK spot in Belgium's starting 11. Next year they look to go to the world cup with arguably their best squad in history, hoping to emulate or surpass the achievements of the 1986 side which reached the semi-finals.

At the moment he is:

- Incredibly highly rated by press, media and oppossition in Spain, thus being linked to both Real Madrid as Barcelona

- A fan favourite at Atletico

- Enjoying himself and settled extremely well with his fellow pro's

- Competing for trophies

- Playing in a side that is, imo, at the moment a better side than Chelsea

- A starter for Belgium

- Getting paid a very nice salary by Atletico

- Qualifying for Champions League next year.

And he's supposed to just give that up to go to a depressing midtable side in England with little chance of glory? Thus even risking his spot for the upcoming world cup with Belgium? The few comments he made the past weeks already indicate he prefers to stay on a 3rd year at Atletico, and none should blame him for that. Why trade all he has in?

you have stated much more clearly the worries I have expresses for over a year . Now people are suggesting he will come to Chelsea simply because we have other Belgium players .

I believe if we dont bring him back at the start of next season we will never see him . As to thosewho expect us to get a huge fee for him ,,,as his contract runs down so will his value

[ja1 1,166]

What is he like at rushing?

For the Swansea game first leg I think if Cech was in goal we may not have conceded those two goals as he is always on his feet, he'll stay on the edge of his box in possession, and will come running out at the first hint of danger to clear. Yes, it does sometimes backfire (Juve away), but most of the time it works. The game after Swansea 1st leg Ivanovic again had a short back pass that their striker was running onto but Cech got there before, saving another chance.

Lloris is also good at this, and as more team's start playing out the back may be important for 'keepers.

[Jype 6,398]

  On 26/01/2013 at 09:10, Greyco said:

And you believe Courtois is just going to accept that?

Like I said in this thread before: Courtois is an a fierce competitive battle with Sunderlands Mignolet for the GK spot in Belgium's starting 11. Next year they look to go to the world cup with arguably their best squad in history, hoping to emulate or surpass the achievements of the 1986 side which reached the semi-finals.

At the moment he is:

- Incredibly highly rated by press, media and oppossition in Spain, thus being linked to both Real Madrid as Barcelona

- A fan favourite at Atletico

- Enjoying himself and settled extremely well with his fellow pro's

- Competing for trophies

- Playing in a side that is, imo, at the moment a better side than Chelsea

- A starter for Belgium

- Getting paid a very nice salary by Atletico

- Qualifying for Champions League next year.

And he's supposed to just give that up to go to a depressing midtable side in England with little chance of glory? Thus even risking his spot for the upcoming world cup with Belgium? The few comments he made the past weeks already indicate he prefers to stay on a 3rd year at Atletico, and none should blame him for that. Why trade all he has in?

Aren't you forgetting one of the most important things here? In 2011 he agreed a long term contract with Chelsea, which I'm sure gave him a nice little pay rise compared to what he earned at Genk and he had no problem accepting that and at the time he was also happy with the plan we had for his development. It was Chelsea who loaned him out to a top culb like Atletico Madrid to gain valuable experience and because of that experience he has been able to play for the Belgium national team in the first place. Before that he wasn't even considered to play ahead of Mignolet. I think it would be rather disrespectful to the club who owns him to decline a loan move to an English club just because he's so settled in Madrid, because if he is to become Chelsea's number one keeper he needs to show he's willing to work for it and if that means he need to spend a year on loan at some less glamorous city than Madrid then so be it. He has to realize that Chelsea have to make sacrifices too regarding Cech if we're just going to hand out Courtois a starting spot in the Chelsea lineup so he really shouldn't be developing an unhealthy attitude here.

And do you honestly think his place in the Belgium national team would be threatened if he played at some English top half side? Mignolet plays for fucking Sunderland and isn't even doing a very good job there...

[Greyco 143]

  On 26/01/2013 at 11:54, Pr22 said:

Aren't you forgetting one of the most important things here? In 2011 he agreed a long term contract with Chelsea, which I'm sure gave him a nice little pay rise compared to what he earned at Genk and he had no problem accepting that and at the time he was also happy with the plan we had for his development. It was Chelsea who loaned him out to a top culb like Atletico Madrid to gain valuable experience and because of that experience he has been able to play for the Belgium national team in the first place. Before that he wasn't even considered to play ahead of Mignolet. I think it would be rather disrespectful to the club who owns him to decline a loan move to an English club just because he's so settled in Madrid, because if he is to become Chelsea's number one keeper he needs to show he's willing to work for it and if that means he need to spend a year on loan at some less glamorous city than Madrid then so be it. He has to realize that Chelsea have to make sacrifices too regarding Cech if we're just going to hand out Courtois a starting spot in the Chelsea lineup so he really shouldn't be developing an unhealthy attitude here.

And do you honestly think his place in the Belgium national team would be threatened if he played at some English top half side? Mignolet plays for fucking Sunderland and isn't even doing a very good job there...

Mignolet has been doing outstanding for Sunderland. He's been one of the best goalkeepers in the EPL in 2012. He was voted best player in the northeast by the local journo's last month and if you'd check their forums they'll tell you he's been their player of the season by far. So yes, coming into a new league next season at a midtable (or worse) team is a pretty big risk to his starting position in the Belgian squad which is highly contested as it is.

Furthermore, it's been Atletico that has been paying Courtois. And it's been Atletico that has been paying Chelsea quite a huge sum for his services. The same Atletico that also bid for him when he was at Genk but was eventually blown out of the water by the higher transfer fee Chelsea paid. If Chelsea hadn't come into it, he'd be playing at Atletico just the same. His transfer rights just wouldn't be owned by Chelsea. Bit absurd to say he should be thankfull to Chelsea for loaning him out the past years as he wouldn't have signed here as they hadn't promised him that.

You've got to realise that Courtois is in a very strong bargaining position here.

[Jype 6,398]

  On 26/01/2013 at 12:41, Greyco said:

You've got to realise that Courtois is in a very strong bargaining position here.

I disagree. The way I see it, he signed a contract till 2016 and should he become a troublemaker Chelsea could easily destroy his development by letting him sit in the stands and train with the youth team for the remainder of his contract without letting him play a single first team match ever.There goes that national team place forever...

Of course that wouldn't be in anyone's best interest but it's ridiculous to say that Chelsea don't have a say in Courtois' future and that should the player decide it's better for him to continue his career in Spain permanently he could just play Chelsea for a fool and leave the club who took the risk of paying £8m for a 19-year-old unproven keeper for peanuts. He could easily have been just another Matej Delac, who Chelsea also paid a hefty sum for with nothing to show for it a few years later, but Courtois has proven to be well worth that money and his value has now multiplied. If he doesn't give a fuck about playing for Chelsea and isn't willing to work for his place (that means spending a year or two on loan at some club which he might not fancy as much as Atleti) and wants to leave to join Barcelona or Atletico, I'm sure Chelsea will have no problem with that as long as the price matches his value to Chelsea, which would be something around £25m in my opinion. I can't see anyone paying that much and Chelsea have absolutely no need of letting him join our European rivals Barcelona for anything below that. With Atletico a deal could probably be worked with Courtois joining Atletico in a part-exchange deal for Falcao, but that's a whole new story.

And yes, Atletico might be paying the player's wages now that everything has worked out brilliantly but had he been another Matej Delac they would simply have sent him back and we would have ended up with an expensive reserve keeper on hefty wages and absolutely zero market value. It was Chelsea who took the risk here and not Atletico, so he should show some fucking respect. Just to be clear, so far I haven't seen him say or do anything disrespectful towards Chelsea but this speculation started when someone said something along the lines of Courtois not owing us anything and that he should be let go if he prefers playing in Spain.

[The Mak 4,459]

It's such a difficult decision and predicament, and one any club would kill to be in. However, as much as I love Petr with my heart, my head is telling me not to even risk losing Courtois. We should loan him out as long as time would allow, but there is no way we should risk losing out on him.

It might take him a season to adapt, but honestly, I wouldn't mind if it means we have a world class keeper for the next 15+ years, instead of 5+. Also, he's so tall, and not to mention confident, I can't see a De Gea situation at all. Besides from that, there's been situations this season where I thought Cech could've done a lot better. I sometimes feel that if we had the younger, hungrier keeper (like Cech himself once was), some goals could've been avoided.

We're in quite a privileged situation, going from one world class keeper to the next is rare, and we have a chance to do it 3 times on the trot: Cudicini - Cech - Courtios. (A thing for C's maybe?)

Don't forget, while Cech isn't as injury prone as Cudicini was, Cudicini wasn't far off Cech's age now when we decided to replace him; despite having fantastic season's previously.

[Greyco 143]

  On 26/01/2013 at 13:33, Pr22 said:

I disagree. The way I see it, he signed a contract till 2016 and should he become a troublemaker Chelsea could easily destroy his development by letting him sit in the stands and train with the youth team for the remainder of his contract without letting him play a single first team match ever.There goes that national team place forever...

Of course that wouldn't be in anyone's best interest but it's ridiculous to say that Chelsea don't have a say in Courtois' future and that should the player decide it's better for him to continue his career in Spain permanently he could just play Chelsea for a fool and leave the club who took the risk of paying £8m for a 19-year-old unproven keeper for peanuts. He could easily have been just another Matej Delac, who Chelsea also paid a hefty sum for with nothing to show for it a few years later, but Courtois has proven to be well worth that money and his value has now multiplied. If he doesn't give a fuck about playing for Chelsea and isn't willing to work for his place (that means spending a year or two on loan at some club which he might not fancy as much as Atleti) and wants to leave to join Barcelona or Atletico, I'm sure Chelsea will have no problem with that as long as the price matches his value to Chelsea, which would be something around £25m in my opinion. I can't see anyone paying that much and Chelsea have absolutely no need of letting him join our European rivals Barcelona for anything below that. With Atletico a deal could probably be worked with Courtois joining Atletico in a part-exchange deal for Falcao, but that's a whole new story.

And yes, Atletico might be paying the player's wages now that everything has worked out brilliantly but had he been another Matej Delac they would simply have sent him back and we would have ended up with an expensive reserve keeper on hefty wages and absolutely zero market value. It was Chelsea who took the risk here and not Atletico, so he should show some fucking respect. Just to be clear, so far I haven't seen him say or do anything disrespectful towards Chelsea but this speculation started when someone said something along the lines of Courtois not owing us anything and that he should be let go if he prefers playing in Spain.

What risk on an unproven player? He's just won the player of the year award in a team that won a league title. It might not be in one of the finest leagues but doing that aged 18 is still a remarkable achievement. Don't make him into an unknown youth team player the scouting team picked up somewhere. His name and fame was widely known before he went to Chelsea and there were many potential suitors who were ready to take a 'risk' on him. Chelsea's involvement with Courtois' development and achievements has been very little indeed, unlike you're making out.

This isn't the eighties anymore where clubs can play despots and order players around. They're employees with rights and if Chelsea goes against the wishes of Courtois then that could make a very cloudy further working relationship. I wouldn't be surprised if Chelsea caved in and granted him an extra year at Atletico, if they'd still want him.