The curious case of Courtois

[nono 791]

There must be an easier way to solve this ? Just have them play hide and seek or something. Whoever wins gets to be keeper.

[Stats 7,135]

Why rotate him when he can have a full season out on loan. We are just taking valuable game time from him. No point having both of them rotate because say Courtois has one excellent game for us then gets rotated next game, not really good for confidence and it brings uncertainty for the keepers.

[BlueLion. 21,491]

Or we do a version of the Hunger Games and the victor gets the number 1 jersey.

[Bosnian Blue 2,471]

But that's exactly what we've been doing for the last 5 years. We also haven't won a league in three years. We haven't been one of the top two clubs in England for the last two years.

So what is this winning forumla? Crossing our fingers?

See to me, that is a great way to halt Courtois's progression as a footballer. Yes Cech is a great keeper but sentimentality is the best way to ruin a football club.

Once the club decides that Courtois is ready to be the first-team keeper then it should be a swift and decisive change. Fucking around trying to placate people's feelings is a great way to create uncertainty in the squad.

People need to realise that this club is over 100 years old and changes will happen. Players are ultimately paid professionals brought in to do a job. They know this.

Thats a different story mate. You do have a point, but tell me that Cech hasn't been one of the best players for us all these years, and probably the most consistent one (even if its easier for a goalie).

Again, if Cech can play like this at the age of 48 I'd pass on anyone else.

[nono 791]

Or we do a version of the Hunger Games and the victor gets the number 1 jersey.

Haha good idea. If either dies Terry will take care of the wife.

[The only place to be 11,313]

Thats a different story mate. You do have a point, but tell me that Cech hasn't been one of the best players for us all these years, and probably the most consistent one (even if its easier for a goalie).

Again, if Cech can play like this at the age of 48 I'd pass on anyone else.

He had a dip for a while after his head injury, but he's come back and is one of the best in the world.

Look at it long-term though. What an achievement it would be to go from one great keeper to another, creating two decades of stability at that position. That's almost unheard of - just look at how United coped with Schmeichel leaving. Maybe Cech could play for a few years more but there's been plenty of rumblings about his body's ability to cope.

[CHOULO19 24,332]

The problem for Thibaut is that Cech is still by far the better keeper and definitely in the top 3 keepers in the world. You can't replace someone like that even if he's getting old. And you can't rotate keepers like outfield players, that's just a sure way to ruin both. Right now, it's pretty clear that we should keep Cech and loan Courtois. A loan to a PL club would be the best for his development, imo, but it would be unfair to not let him play in the CL after helping his team get there. At the end of the next season we have a look at the kind of season each of two keepers have had and make a decision again.

[The only place to be 11,313]

The problem for Thibaut is that Cech is still by far the better keeper

By far? Not at all. Courtois is a very good goalkeeper and one of the best in Europe. I think you could swap Courtois in for Cech next season and not see any negative effect on our team.

[nono 791]

The problem for Thibaut is that Cech is still by far the better keeper and definitely in the top 3 keepers in the world. You can't replace someone like that even if he's getting old. And you can't rotate keepers like outfield players, that's just a sure way to ruin both. Right now, it's pretty clear that we should keep Cech and loan Courtois. A loan to a PL club would be the best for his development, imo, but it would be unfair to not let him play in the CL after helping his team get there. At the end of the next season we have a look at the kind of season each of two keepers have had and make a decision again.

The gap isn't that big. I don't think Cech was this good at Courtois' age. At worst all that will happen is Courtois' first game for Chelsea will be delayed by a couple of years. I'd sell Cech for good money to be honest. If we can get 30 million pounds from Monaco, I'd do it, but only if Cech is ok with it. It's a bit hard to let go of a club legend. He has been with us so long now and has been an absolute role model in his time here.

[Bosnian Blue 2,471]

He had a dip for a while after his head injury, but he's come back and is one of the best in the world.

Look at it long-term though. What an achievement it would be to go from one great keeper to another, creating two decades of stability at that position. That's almost unheard of - just look at how United coped with Schmeichel leaving. Maybe Cech could play for a few years more but there's been plenty of rumblings about his body's ability to cope.

Yes, I agree with you on the Cech fitness situation. Don't think he will last that long unfortunately. We'll see how it goes.

[nono 791]

For me it's Mourinho's choice. If he decides to keep or sell Cech I am happy with either choice he takes.

By the way, how much do you guys think Manchester City would pay for Cech ?

[English Freak 456]

For me it's Mourinho's choice. If he decides to keep or sell Cech I am happy with either choice he takes.

By the way, how much do you guys think Manchester City would pay for Cech ?

Seeing Cech is a City jersey would be disgusting....and i'm sure they'd pay alot..cause he's much better than Joe Hart can ever hope to be.