The Rebuilding Project - Analysis of our Squad Part 1: Goalkeepers

[Superblue 6,370]

What a game last night and another memorable Champions League encounter to saviour. However this doesn't hide the fact that the club needs to rebuild and a number of players need to be moved on as a part of this.

I'll start my analysis of the current squad and what I think we need with the goalkeepers -

Current Squad

Petr Cech - He's been criticised over the last couple of seasons and whilst I would agree he isn't the same player he was a few years ago, he remains a high quality goalkeeper.

What many people tend to forget aswell is that Cech is highly experienced but still only 29 which is very young in goalkeeping terms.

The other aspect to consider is that IMO we already have Cech's long term replacement in waiting in Thibaut Courtois but the club would be clever to learn from Man Utd's mistakes with De Gea and not to throw him into such a pressure cooker environment too early.

Over the next couple of seasons though Petr Cech should remain Chelsea's number one between the sticks. His experience will also be important in a rebuilding project which will see a number of experienced first team players move on, but a careful balance must be struck between experience and raw talent.

Hilario and Ross Turnbull - Both have acted as decent backup without ever threatening the number one spot in the team. The biggest worry is if Cech were to suffer a long term injury would either be able to step up for a prolonged period in the first team? My answer would be no, and therefore should the club be looking for a number 2 capable of such?

The biggest problem is finding a goalkeeper good enough to step up to number one, but is happy for long periods to be number 2. These are few and far between, and I think the only way is to take a calculated gamble on a younger goalkeeper who is happy to bide their time and mature under the wing of one of the world's best.

The Future

Clearly Thibaut Courtois is destined for big things. He is passing his first 'acid test' playing in a much stronger league than previously with flying colours, and at 19, has the potential to be the club's future number one, and we should build towards that.

The question is when will this happen. Courtois has been very vocal of the plan Chelsea has for him which is most likely to be another season at Atletico Madrid after such a successful season, followed by at least a season playing in the premiership. He seems happy with such an arrangement, already admitting he's not yet ready to play for Chelsea, and IMO another 2-3 seasons playing first team football and maturing as a goalkeeper will only benefit us in the future.

Possible Departures

I would allow Hilario to leave in the summer. At 36 and his contract expiring now is the best time to move him on. The other key factor being Turnbull qualifies as a homegrown player and with only 17 allowed at the club and English players costing a premium, it doesn't make sense to waste a non-homegrown spot with a backup goalkeeper.

Possible Arrivals

I mentioned above about the club requiring better backup to Cech, although in this current moment it is unlikely to be considered a priority area of strengthening. If this is not going to happen then the club does not want to waste a non homegrown spot on a backup goalkeeper that isn't really good enough for a first team spot if the opportunity arose. Whether this means Chelsea place confidence in Turnbull and promote one of our younger goalkeepers to third choice remains to be seen. I have been impressed by Jamal Blackman when I have watched him and think he has potential but he's even younger than Courtois and will at some point require first team football (out on loan) to develop.

[Death B4 Dishonour 32]

Can we just be positive about the squad we have now, they have shown us what they are capable of doing when we fully support them.

Let's wait to analyse the squad after the season has finished.

:cfc:

[Spike 12,049]

Courtois is an amazing shot stopper, quite possibly one of the best in the world despite his youth. But his decision making is poor and often seems afraid to do aggressive actions. For example he rarely comes off his line to punch the ball away.

Well that is what I noticed in the few Atletico Madrid games I watched.

[Superblue 6,370]

Can we just be positive about the squad we have now, they have shown us what they are capable of doing when we fully support them.

Let's wait to analyse the squad after the season has finished.

:cfc:

I understand your point but such a view is the reason why we are in this predicament - taking too long to make key decisions is why we have a number of players probably considered over the hill or just not good enough anymore.

Clubs will be looking at their transfer targets now and identifying areas required to strengthen. We also need to consider the European Championships this summer which will take a massive chunk out of the times to negotiate with a number of players who will be participating in that.

I stated at the top last night was a great win, and has instilled confidence back in me for a number of players, but one result cannot allow the club to ignore a poor 6 months under Scolari, under Ancelotti in his second season and under AVB, largely with the same group of players in all three campaigns.

[Superblue 6,370]

Courtois is an amazing shot stopper, quite possibly one of the best in the world despite his youth. But his decision making is poor and often seems afraid to do aggressive actions. For example he rarely comes off his line to punch the ball away. Well that is what I noticed in the few Atletico Madrid games I watched.

Exactly! The raw talent is clear to see - his general shot stopping and handling are both excellent and his distribution isn't bad either.

However bravery in a crowded area comes with confidence and maturity, aswell as 'bulking up as' he develops. Decision making similarly comes with experience. This is why despite his performances this season at Atletico Madrid, he is not yet ready to return to Chelsea. A couple more seasons out on loan playing first team football however should clearly improve these areas.

[Death B4 Dishonour 32]

I understand your point but such a view is the reason why we are in this predicament - taking too long to make key decisions is why we have a number of players probably considered over the hill or just not good enough anymore.

Clubs will be looking at their transfer targets now and identifying areas required to strengthen. We also need to consider the European Championships this summer which will take a massive chunk out of the times to negotiate with a number of players who will be participating in that.

I stated at the top last night was a great win, and has instilled confidence back in me for a number of players, but one result cannot allow the club to ignore a poor 6 months under Scolari, under Ancelotti in his second season and under AVB, largely with the same group of players in all three campaigns.

I understand the club needs to phase out the old guard and players that aren't performing and inject some young, hungry and talented youngsters.

I hope we promote most of our youth team. I think the club is aware of the situation but for now we have to work with what we got.

But i complete understand your point too

[Superblue 6,370]

I understand the club needs to phase out the old guard and players that aren't performing and inject some young, hungry and talented youngsters. I hope we promote most of our youth team. I think the club is aware of the situation but for now we have to work with what we got. But i complete understand your point too

Fully agree, we can only work with what we have until the end of the season and last night gave me confidence we can salvage this season. However we still should be looking ahead and I don't believe the 'rebuilding job' will be as expensive as people think. There is value in the market - we have proven that with some very good buys over the summer, and some of the players that may move on still hold a market value to some degree themselves to offset any transfer expenditure. Then as you have mentioned we have the youth team, and some of these need to be given the opportunity. I would rather see Bertrand and Hutchinson preferred as defensive backup to buying, and the likes of Romeu and Lukaku need to figure more prominently next season.

[Liquidator 5,176]

Hilario and Ross Turnbull - Both have acted as decent backup without ever threatening the number one spot in the team. The biggest worry is if Cech were to suffer a long term injury would either be able to step up for a prolonged period in the first team? My answer would be no, and therefore should the club be looking for a number 2 capable of such?

How many top teams actually have two decent goalkeepers? Not many that I can think of although it would be nice to have Courtois there in case something does happen.

[Justin_3d 1,140]

Good post, keep the rest coming.

[LDN Blue 7,903]

How many top teams actually have two decent goalkeepers? Not many that I can think of although it would be nice to have Courtois there in case something does happen.

Exactly. If they're at the top, one's bound to leave. Case & point: Manchester City with Joe Hart & Shay Given. Could do worse than having Turnbull as security.

[Superblue 6,370]

How many top teams actually have two decent goalkeepers? Not many that I can think of although it would be nice to have Courtois there in case something does happen.

Maybe we were just spoilt when we had both Cudicini and Cech at the club.

However Spurs have Friedel, Cudicini and Gomes all of which I would take over Turnbull. United also have De Gea and Lindegaard, so I don't see it as impossible.

I would prefer for Courtois to develop away from the club for the next couple of seasons however.

[zolayes 14,489]

I have never understood why keepers can't be rotated ..The season is 60 games long ,, The first choice takes 40 and the developing keeper 20.

Even at international level England shared the keepers job between Clemence and Shilton for a couple of seasons or so.

[Badboy 1,526]

I have never understood why keepers can't be rotated ..The season is 60 games long ,, The first choice takes 40 and the developing keeper 20.

Even at international level England shared the keepers job between Clemence and Shilton for a couple of seasons or so.

I have never understood why keepers can't be rotated ..The season is 60 games long ,, The first choice takes 40 and the developing keeper 20.

Even at international level England shared the keepers job between Clemence and Shilton for a couple of seasons or so.

Its because 90% of the time the keepers job is mental fitness as opposed to physical fitness. You have to play week in week out as a keeper to keep your concentration levels really high.

[Superblue 6,370]

Its because 90% of the time the keepers job is mental fitness as opposed to physical fitness. You have to play week in week out as a keeper to keep your concentration levels really high.

At the top clubs it is perhaps the biggest attribute - concentration!

Potentially going large parts of the game with nothing to do and then suddenly having to be alert to make an excellent save is priceless.

[Madmax 9,219]

Haven't we just signed some teenage Mexican keeper? Jorge Avial is going beserk in South - Central America.

[Superblue 6,370]

I would expect there to be a few takers but if Wigan go down we could do a lot worse than pay £4-5m for Al Habsi. A goalkeeper good enough to feel confident about stepping in if Cech is injured and also someone good enough to push Cech for the number 1 jersey and hopefully 'up' Cech's game (like when Cudicini was at the club)