Petr Cech

[Pizy 18,420]

If you were Courtois and were told that Cech is going to be the #1 keeper this season and that you're going to be sat on the bench after being the best keeper in La Liga for the title winning, CL finalists would you sign a new contract?

I probably wouldn't.

[The only place to be 11,313]

Not really my point, but it's kind of a cheap shot trying to take away from Petr's achievements.

Anyway, my point was experience (that's why I bolded it) at the top the level and experience for playing at Chelsea and experience of playing in the PL. Petr is one of the best best of his generation and one of the legends of the game, no matter how talented a youngster is, and even when Thibaut becomes clearly better than him, he can always learn from his experience.

Wasn't a cheap shot in the slightest. It was a fact. He's played in strong teams, but he's still a great keeper.

[Madmax 9,219]

I wrote this before the CL final and my opinion hasn't changed so I'll just leave this here as my 0.02$ on the matter:

We're now at that point where Cech's experience and familiarity no longer offset Courtois' raw promise. The Belgian is no longer a greenhorn honing his trade, we're talking about someone who at 22 years old is one game away from having won every trophy he's ever competed for in club colours.

Which then makes the decision boil down to pure footballing ability. In that department, even if Cech performs at 100% for 2 more years, would you take that over Courtois (for argument's sake) performing at, say 85% over that period, knowing he could then go on and give you a dozen more years as possibly the best in his position in the world?

[The Mak 4,459]

Cech before his head injury was best keeper in the world. No question. The thing that astonished me most about Cech then was that not only would he make a fantastic save, but sometimes he would also somehow managed to hold onto the ball even against some the most difficult of shots.

Cech after his injury was still WC, but became nervous in certain situations regarding physical contact; less willing to deal with corners and less rushing out (especially this). Gradually, he started recovering in these aspects but he was never the same. When Cudicini eventually left and Cech made a mistake, we questioned if he was complacent because he wasn't being adequately challenged for his position. He also started picking up more injuries.

Cech in 2012 during the CL run was at his absolute best, as good as he ever was in the past.

However, he is still prone to the odd injury. I think it was up until the season before last where he was out for a lengthy enough period almost every season; we then had to rely on the likes of Hilario and Turnbull who let in very soft goals. At the beginning of last season he missed a small amount of games due to poor form and missed the end due to injury. 2012 was his absolute peak in my eyes and the downhill slope has already begun, albeit very very slowly, but it'll only worsen.

Cech knows this himself. I remember his very aggressive interview at the end of last season about displacing Cudicini, being no. 1 for nearly 10 years and not giving his place up lightly (I can't find the article atm). He never said anything like it before, but he said it because he feels very threatened for the first time ever.

So, when we think of this and think of Courtois' meteoric rise, do we stick with what we know is going to gradually decline or do we continue the development of already one of the best goalkeepers in the world? Cech will never be the Cech of 2005 again, I don't even think he'll be the Cech of 2012 again.

I think the answer to this problem is a very simple one and, because he is a winner above all else (including sentimentally, e.g. Ashley), I think Mourinho knows the answer as well.

[The only place to be 11,313]

I think the answer is clear when you ask yourselves what you want each player to do next year.

With Courtois we want him to continue his form.

With Cech you're hoping he gets back to his form of a couple of years ago.

Which is more likely?

[MrBlueGuy 1,552]

He is as certain as a sub or going to be sold now after Mou's latest comments. From 'one of the best in the world' to now just '3-5 experience GK' is quite an downgrade. Also I doubt Courtois would agree to stay unless he was guaranteed that he would play, now Mou just confirmed that himself without mentioning it specifically and be disrespect to Cech.

This coming season could be his last in a Chelsea shirt, and even then it will likely be similar to Terry situation under Rafa. Real shame that it would end this way for the club's greatest ever GK

[Tomo 21,733]

Cech has the edge for me. Why? Because Mourinho is sentimental, it's his one weak point as a manager.

Maybe on a personal level but professionally he is the most ruthless man in sport.

Carvalho who followed him to three clubs was told to leave or face the reserves in 2012. Then he came back here Cole gets replaced by a RB, Essien barely plays then is sold, as soon as Matic came Lamps hit the bench.

Mou will do what it takes to win, he will happily drop players he loves as well as sign player's he didn't have great history with prior, ala Eto'o and Cesc.

I would say Mourinho controls the emotional and professional side of football very well, especially with his own.

[Special Juan 27,439]

He is as certain as a sub or going to be sold now after Mou's latest comments. From 'one of the best in the world' to now just '3-5 experience GK' is quite an downgrade. Also I doubt Courtois would agree to stay unless he was guaranteed that he would play, now Mou just confirmed that himself without mentioning it specifically and be disrespect to Cech.

This coming season could be his last in a Chelsea shirt, and even then it will likely be similar to Terry situation under Rafa. Real shame that it would end this way for the club's greatest ever GK

Has to end somehow and some way though. I don't think under any circumstances that if Cech is playing second fiddle that he will be disrespected in any way shape or form by Mourinho. Cech on the other hand strikes me as a guy that wouldn't be bothered by competition and would welcome it. We will be in a great position if these two are our keepers between the sticks this season, the two best keepers around for me and fighting for that one spot.

[Tomo 21,733]

Has to end somehow and some way though. I don't think under any circumstances that if Cech is playing second fiddle that he will be disrespected in any way shape or form by Mourinho. Cech on the other hand strikes me as a guy that wouldn't be bothered by competition and would welcome it. We will be in a great position if these two are our keepers between the sticks this season, the two best keepers around for me and fighting for that one spot.

Not to mention Schwarzer as numero tres.

I have had my concerns on how it would work in terms of keeping them happy but if any one can its Mourinho, if we had someone like Rafa who isn't known for man management it could have been a problem.

[polleforever 16]

Whatever the choice, the media will love this story.
Goalkeepers sometimes make mistakes: it happens, sooner or later. At that point all camera's to the bench, tough interviews after the game, long articles on how bad the choice was.

Chances are high it will affect the players.

My choice would have been to make a choice before the season starts and let go one goalkeeper.

Now, it's stated that we will have two great goalies and we can't loose... but to be honest I'm afraid of this situation: it will come down to how the players, manager and the entire club will handle the pressure from the media which will come at some point during the season.

[meetdoscar 335]

Here's what Cech can teach Courtois....play for a great team with a great manager. Cech's clean sheet record is at much to do with Carvalho, Terry, Makelele, Essien, Ferreira, Cole and Mourinho as it is to do with him.

That's not to say Cech isn't a great keeper, but he's also been one of the best protected keepers in Premier League history.

Cech was dropped last year. His form has steadily declined over the last two years.

Fuck all the future shit then. In the present, Courtois is the better keeper.

Coutois has definitely not proved that in Epl or a chelsea shirt so its not true or possible that he is better than cech especially when cech is still very good and courtois hasn't even put on a blue shirt, that's disrespectful. Moreover he played under a different system at athletico with 11 players behind the ball, I don't think he will look so good in his first season especially as he looked at athletico last season, more teams will test us naturally I mean spurs, united, city, liverpool, arsenal, everton and much more this isn't a barca and real madrid plus x team league so i don't think courtois should start at the beginning of this season except when cech fails to deliver then his opportunity arises. Its true that in these forum we like to value new players rather than those we already have but why not be patient then judge objectively. We had the best defense last season with cech in goal so we don't have a problem there for me and for now because cech is still of the highest level(as he showed with game saving saves against city away last season) with invaluable experience. If cech is to be replaced then there should be a very good reason because you can't throw away all his EPL experience out the window when he is still spectacular, courtois simply has to earn his shirt same as cech did with cudicini, courtois must be consistent when given the opportunity because the lesser of the two will be benched.

[Tomo 21,733]

Coutois has definitely not proved that in Epl or a chelsea shirt so its not true or possible that he is better than cech especially when cech is still very good and courtois hasn't even put on a blue shirt, that's disrespectful. Moreover he played under a different system at athletico with 11 players behind the ball, I don't think he will look so good in his first season especially as he looked at athletico last season, more teams will test us naturally I mean spurs, united, city, liverpool, arsenal, everton and much more this isn't a barca and real madrid plus x team league so i don't think courtois should start at the beginning of this season except when cech fails to deliver then his opportunity arises. Its true that in these forum we like to value new players rather than those we already have but why not be patient then judge objectively. We had the best defense last season with cech in goal so we don't have a problem there for me and for now because cech is still of the highest level(as he showed with game saving saves against city away last season) with invaluable experience. If cech is to be replaced then there should be a very good reason because you can't throw away all his EPL experience out the window when he is still spectacular, courtois simply has to earn his shirt same as cech did with cudicini, courtois must be consistent when given the opportunity because the lesser of the two will be benched.

Your first paragraph is basically what people were saying re Cech/Cudicini in 2004.

Also Athletico last season were a more advanced version of where we are heading, so there won't be much adaption time needed in that respect, for as long as Jose is here he will be well protected.

[Jase 43,479]

Petr Cech Chelsea transfer looms as keeper warns he won't play second fiddle to Courtois

[meetdoscar 335]

Your first paragraph is basically what people were saying re Cech/Cudicini in 2004.

Also Athletico last season were a more advanced version of where we are heading, so there won't be much adaption time needed in that respect, for as long as Jose is here he will be well protected.

When courtois gets his chance and if he proves to be better than cech as cech did cudicini then great for him and for the club too but for me cech is still at a level where cudicini never really reached so courtois has the highest ceiling to compete with to be No. 1. I wish them both well.

[LDN Blue 7,903]

I'm with TOPTB, having Cech around acts as a distraction for Courtois both by the media and fans alike tbh. There will be cries of 'Cech wouldn't have done that' when Courtois makes a mistake which will inevitably happen.

As far as having a reliable back up goes, if Schwarzer didn't convince you guys last season then this conversation wouldn't get very far. As someone said before, it's almost insulting having Cech on the bench with his accolades and he wouldn't be short of suitors.

Yes Mourinho is sentimental but he's realistic too. He wouldn't stand in the way if Cech wanted out & I certainly wouldn't believe when people infer he'll definitely remain.. He can be deceitful in transfer windows.

A prime example of this situation goes back to Manchester City with Hart (up and coming on loan at Birmingham) competing with Shay Given who was one of the most competent and experienced goal keepers in the league at the time. For the greater future, Given had to be benched and eventually left for first team opportunities.

[Madmax 9,219]

I don't want to be on the bench, this is why I am trying to do everything to be in the team. I don't want to talk about ifs and buts. Let’s see how I am going and what happens. You know I always give my best and obviously that is all I can do. I will do my best and do everything I can do to be as ready as possible for when the season starts. Every year there is a challenge. If you are going to be in the team you are going to have to do better than the other guys in the team. I think Mark Schwarzer, when he came last year, did remarkably well during the pre-season and when he played in any game he did very well, so I knew the challenge was there.Obviously Jose Mourinho will make his choice and decide how his team is going to look for the first game, second game, third game, whatever game. It is up to us players to show we are ready to play and make him pick us. I am not any different. I am doing everything I can to make him pick me.

Trouble brewing.

[Special Juan 27,439]

Healthy competition.

[robsblubot 3,531]

I dislike competition between goalkeepers because throughout a season they don't get enough opportunities to prove anything. There are too many factors affecting their performances, like need to get used to the defenders and the defenders used to the them.

You have to give them a good run of games, but games aren't equal. So, one play any bottom feeder at home and don't touch the football, the other Arsenal away and makes great saves or not?! Then do you judge mistakes or form? Command or reaction? Those things, what you value as a manager, should've been known from the beginning.

I've seen competition between goalkeepers before, and it never works; only thing that can really settle anything is if one picks up an injury. It's very difficult to replace a GK who has had a good run, which is always not unlikely to happen at a top club.