Petr Cech

[CHOULO19 24,332]

ITT: people who appear to know Courtois but actually don't (with some exceptions)

It's simple tbh, I'm convinced that the vast majority involved in this discussion don't watch Athletico games at all. If they did, they wouldn't say "he's not quite as good yet", "he'd need to fight for a spot at any club".

The comparisons to De Gea are pointless and futile, he's twice the keeper De Gea is. I challenge you to find a single Athletico fan who rates De Gea over Courtois.

In my opinion, he's as good as any keeper in the world atm, and would walk into any elite club's first team without problems whatsoever.

I wouldn't be against the prospect of him fighting with Petr for the nr1 spot next season, as I honostly think he'd come out the victor pretty quickly.

I'm trying to refrain from commenting on Belgian players lately as it's a trend on this forum to play the 'biased' card at every chance possible but I had to here.

I've probably missed less than a dozen Athletico games since he's joined them and no, I don't think he's as good as Cech who I think is currently the best in the world. Like I said, Thibaut will likely come here and challenge Petr for the spot, if he really is better then he should win it i no time. If he isn't then he just needs to keep improving till he is. The comparison with De Gea was just in the situation, not their skill as I clearly stated.

[Mouri_Matic 560]

Remember Cech is not exactly super fit either, he has history of some injuries including some long laying off.

[bushman 2,043]

Remember Cech is not exactly super fit either, he has history of some injuries including some long laying off.

That might be true. However, can Courtois count on it to play ?

[johnnythefirst 1,076]

Not necessarily. Coutrois can have the FA and league cup matches which should be about matches plus he can fill in if Cech get injured or needs resting.

Just like it would be crazy to let Courtois go, it would be equally insane to get rid of the best keeper in the world atm.

For god's sake, he's too good to play some FA and league cup matches. You're not talking about 'a promising youngster that might be make it in a couple of years' genre Lukaku. You're talking about a guy who right now is in the top ten/five goalkeepers worldwide. Of course it's not proof, but a good indicator none the less: in Fifa 14, he'll be the 4th best goalkeeper in the game. ;-)

[The only place to be 11,313]

ITT: people who appear to know Courtois but actually don't (with some exceptions)

It's simple tbh, I'm convinced that the vast majority involved in this discussion don't watch Athletico games at all. If they did, they wouldn't say "he's not quite as good yet", "he'd need to fight for a spot at any club".

The comparisons to De Gea are pointless and futile, he's twice the keeper De Gea is. I challenge you to find a single Athletico fan who rates De Gea over Courtois.

In my opinion, he's as good as any keeper in the world atm, and would walk into any elite club's first team without problems whatsoever.

I wouldn't be against the prospect of him fighting with Petr for the nr1 spot next season, as I honostly think he'd come out the victor pretty quickly.

I'm trying to refrain from commenting on Belgian players lately as it's a trend on this forum to play the 'biased' card at every chance possible but I had to here.

Pretty much echoes my own points.

Courtois is an elite-level keeper. He's a keeper with whom you can compete for titles both domestically and in Europe. The idea of rotating keepers is a silly one in my opinion because that role demands consistency - the defenders need to know instinctively what the guy behind him is going to do.

For god's sake, he's too good to play some FA and league cup matches. You're not talking about 'a promising youngster that might be make it in a couple of years' genre Lukaku. You're talking about a guy who right now is in the top ten/five goalkeepers worldwide. Of course it's not proof, but a good indicator none the less: in Fifa 14, he'll be the 4th best goalkeeper in the game. ;-)

You forgot the one or two CL games he'll get and there's always a chance of an injury to Cech.

[johnnythefirst 1,076]

Well in any case, it's not gonna happen.

Cech will be kept, Courtois will be sold. I'd bet a lot of money on that...

[CHOULO19 24,332]

For god's sake, he's too good to play some FA and league cup matches. You're not talking about 'a promising youngster that might be make it in a couple of years' genre Lukaku. You're talking about a guy who right now is in the top ten/five goalkeepers worldwide. Of course it's not proof, but a good indicator none the less: in Fifa 14, he'll be the 4th best goalkeeper in the game. ;-)

He won't be given a starting spot without playing a single minute of football for Chelsea no matter what his rating on FIFA is. Like any other football player on earth he will have to fight for a place in the team. It's really not an alien concept.

[Tomo 21,751]

Liverpool would have to win the premiership for Mignolet to replace Courtos as Belgium's No.1 goalie.

And i don't see him staying at Chelsea nxt season. Cech will stay put and the Belgian will be loand out....hopefully to a PL side

Where can he go in the PL tho? he can't go to one of our rivals for obvious reason's and sending him to a midtable club now he is established as one of the top keepers around is illogical. Barca and Real Madrid have made it clear they will sign him with their eyes closed, so sending him somewhere like Southampton because he isn't "PL proven" just isn't going to cut it.

So was De Gea when United bought him and I bet they wish they had an experienced world-class keeper along with him these past two seasons. I'm not comparing the two keepers, just the uncertainty of the situation.

He was no where near the level Courtois is now, on a personal and playing level.

De Gea had a season and a half of gametime for his home town club, he was moving abroad for the first time in his life so obviously there was going to be the initial struggle.

Courtois already won the league title in Belgium (i know, weaker league, but it's still experience of being a winner) and if the title deciding match was anything to go by, he played a huge part in winning it for Genk. Then he left his home country and been playing in La Liga, he has helped them win the Europa League and was the main reason they won the Copa Del Rey, beating Madrid in their own back yard in the process. He will also probably have about 200 career games under his belt by the end of this season, that's a lot in comparison to De Gea's 84 when he joined United.

A keeper that will be able to walk into Barca's starting lineup next season is not going to accept a bit part role in the cups even for one campaign, when/if he does return it will be to replace Cech, not deputize for him. It's not a similar situation to Lukaku where he is still a bit raw and needs parts to his game finetuned, Thiabut is widely known around the planet and one of the best keepers in the world already.

Also the De Gea factor is blown way, way out of proportion, for one De Gea there's the likes of Reina and Cech, also Courtois will be closer to the age the latter two were when they came to the PL than the age De Gea was.

[johnnythefirst 1,076]

He won't be given a starting spot without playing a single minute of football for Chelsea no matter what his rating on FIFA is. Like any other football player on earth he will have to fight for a place in the team. It's really not an alien concept.

Apparently Barcelona is willing to give him a starting spot next year. This goes for both Cech and Courtois. ;-)

[Weckerz 3,781]

I've probably missed less than a dozen Athletico games since he's joined them and no, I don't think he's as good as Cech who I think is currently the best in the world. Like I said, Thibaut will likely come here and challenge Petr for the spot, if he really is better then he should win it i no time. If he isn't then he just needs to keep improving till he is. The comparison with De Gea was just in the situation, not their skill as I clearly stated.

I didn't mean you personally Choulo, I'm sure you've watched him, but that kinda makes me more surprised. I understand your preference for Cech, but I feel Petr and Thibaut are much closer ability wise than you make it out to be.

Definately close enough for you to realise Thibaut can't come here to play FA/league cup games.

[bushman 2,043]

I didn't mean you personally Choulo, I'm sure you've watched him, but that kinda makes me more surprised. I understand your preference for Cech, but I feel Petr and Thibaut are much closer ability wise than you make it out to be.

Definately close enough for you to realise Thibaut can't come here to play FA/league cup games.

Well, that´s the bottom line. TC can not or will not come to Chelsea to play FA or ....games.

[kellzfresh 7,229]

Lol, people dont see the reason for willian to add depth to our attack on the right flank but think that courtois can come and be on the bench here. The double standard these days are just

[Fastrobbie 26]

I can hardly believe there will be a day that both Cech and Courtois will be fighting for the n°1 spot at Chelsea. Both are world-class keepers, not discussion about it.

There are many top clubs willing to splash big money on keepers of this level and have a spot in the starting lineup for them. The other top clubs are just poking and waiting till the thing is going to explode. I can't believe either of them will settle with a place on the bench, that could damage their careers, while they could be in the start-up of any top club. Don't fool yourselves!

The good thing is, it's a luxury problem!

[robsblubot 3,595]

I can hardly believe there will be a day that both Cech and Courtois will be fighting for the n°1 spot at Chelsea. Both are world-class keepers, not discussion about it.

There are many top clubs willing to splash big money on keepers of this level and have a spot in the starting lineup for them. The other top clubs are just poking and waiting till the thing is going to explode. I can't believe either of them will settle with a place on the bench, that could damage their careers, while they could be in the start-up of any top club. Don't fool yourselves!

The good thing is, it's a luxury problem!

agree in principle, but not about the cash-even top ones.. GK aren't sold for a lot of cash, perhaps the position least valuable in football.

I think Petr is a top GK but I don't agree he is number one; I see many other GK just as good, especially these younger ones. Lloris is already fantastic! What he did against Arsenal, even though they lost that match, was incredible. Not that Arsenal played that much better, but they had a clear cup chances in counters which were stopped by LLoris. Liverpool's Mignolet is class too-a lot better than the overrated Reina.

I too think it would be a mistake to lose Courtois and if the right offer comes in, Petr should be sold. It'd be a good thing for him too because they do make money out of the transfer itself, bonuses etc. It could be a nice farewell gift/"last contract" for him.

[johnnythefirst 1,076]

I read fees in the € 35 million area for Courtois when they talked about Barça...