Petr Cech

[BlueLion. 21,491]

The thing with Petr is that he makes better saves than Courtois but not only that. He knows how to organize the defense so thats why he always keeps a cleansheet and for that he's better than Courtois in my opinion.

I don't think that's the case. I've said this before and I could write a doctoral thesis on the reasons why, but it is simply a psychological thing. Courtois is a newcomer at Chelsea. Yes, he has achieved incredible things at Atletico, but he hasn't yet at Chelsea. Conversely Cech has 491 appearances and 227 clean sheets having won countless major honours over a ten-year period. Familiarity breeds confidence - people know how good Thibaut is, but until he has a couple of years under his belt it is always going to seem like something of a risk when he plays. Cech on the other hand has a decade's experience at Chelsea and has had long-term partnerships with the likes of Ivanovic, Terry, Cahill, etc. for years and years. So ultimately we're bound to feel "safer" when he plays. If people cast their minds back to 2004, many people were outraged that Carlo Cudicini was being usurped by this young pretender from France and for the first few months they couldn't deal with it. I couldn't. Back then Carlo was my favourite player.

But there is no doubt Courtois is the long-term option. I just think José is - rightly - taking advantage of the fact he has two of the world's very best goalkeepers at his disposal. I also think he's desperate for Cech to get the PL record number of clean sheets before he inevitably moves on in the summer. Courtois just has to deal with the fact he is competing with goalkeeping royalty. As of next season he'll be the absolutely undisputed number one, but for now he needs to work hard for his place because every time Cech has come in (even the Bradford game he made some unreal saves and was left criminally exposed by our worst defensive performance in years) he's done a sterling job.

Fair play to them both I say.

[petre.ispirescu 4,928]

You can't throw him out of the team after those saves. You simply can't do it.

[BlueLion. 21,491]

Ridiculous

[manpe 10,861]

Ridiculous

When I see saves like that, and they do happen once in a while, then I don't understand what's so special about the Gordon Banks save against Pele in a world cup. Are the only reasons of that save being so hyped because it was England and on the opposite side it was the great Pele? And even when people talk about that save, they speak like it was physically impossible to pull off... how come? Some of the saves Cech has made throughout his career have defied laws of universe, the one Banks made was good, but the more I watch replays of it, the less impressed I am considering the hype of it being "the greatest save of all time".

[Yeboii 1,844]

When I see saves like that, and they do happen once in a while, then I don't understand what's so special about the Gordon Banks save against Pele in a world cup. Are the only reasons of that save being so hyped because it was England and on the opposite side it was the great Pele? And even when people talk about that save, they speak like it was physically impossible to pull off... how come? Some of the saves Cech has made throughout his career have defied laws of universe, the one Banks made was good, but the more I watch replays of it, the less impressed I am considering the hype of it being "the greatest save of all time".

Probably cause he it was England. I mean look at all the Harry Kane wanking all over right now and some people haven't even heard of Alexandre Lacazette.

[Jase 43,479]

Ridiculous

From another perspective, that was a crap finish from Lukaku and rubbish defending from us.

[Henrique 9,133]

From another perspective, that was a crap finish from Lukaku and rubbish defending from us.

Affff.

[Reddish-Blue 2,345]

It would have been wonderful to see Cech retire at Chelsea, brilliant keeper, stepped up when we needed it the most and for me, he'll be one of the four* legends of the past decade.

*The other three legends: JT, Didier and Lampard

I wish Cech all the best if/when he moves on

[CFC888 219]

Ridiculous

I love the bit where JT realises that Lukaku has an open shot on goal and his shoulders slump in resignation, only to jump back into action in astonishment, clearly disbelieving of Petr's save.

[OneMoSalah 8,776]

That save was huge but Thibaut obviously should come in again, theres no point in bringing up what Cech's done in the past or whatever Courtois is quite clearly our #1 and Jose was mentioning something about Thibaut suffering from mentally exhaustion. Great to have Cech as a number 2 though so if these situations happen, or injuries in match like the Arsenal game and other injuries, he can come in and put in great performances.

[BlueLion. 21,491]

I love the bit where JT realises that Lukaku has an open shot on goal and his shoulders slump in resignation, only to jump back into action in astonishment, clearly disbelieving of Petr's save.

The thing that made me recognise just how good a save is the fact that on the highlights packages, the cameraman couldn't react to how fast Lukaku hit the shot. Okay, granted it is only a foot or two away from Petr, but the fact he reacts to it and kicks the ball away in the time the cameraman takes to even realise where Lukaku's shot demonstrates just how little time he had to make the save. Those cameramen receive some incredible training and can, usually, in a split second realise where the ball is. Outstanding from Cech, truly, and magnified by the importance of the moment.

[Bir_CFC 3,455]

The thing that made me recognise just how good a save is the fact that on the highlights packages, the cameraman couldn't react to how fast Lukaku hit the shot. Okay, granted it is only a foot or two away from Petr, but the fact he reacts to it and kicks the ball away in the time the cameraman takes to even realise where Lukaku's shot demonstrates just how little time he had to make the save. Those cameramen receive some incredible training and can, usually, in a split second realise where the ball is. Outstanding from Cech, truly, and magnified by the importance of the moment.

Actually that cameraman got fired. It was an easy save.

[BlueLion. 21,491]

Actually that cameraman got fired. It was an easy save.

I'd reply with technical jargon and explain why it was an exceptional save but I CBA, it was clearly a brilliant reaction stop.

[Ledg 638]

When I see saves like that, and they do happen once in a while, then I don't understand what's so special about the Gordon Banks save against Pele in a world cup. Are the only reasons of that save being so hyped because it was England and on the opposite side it was the great Pele? And even when people talk about that save, they speak like it was physically impossible to pull off... how come? Some of the saves Cech has made throughout his career have defied laws of universe, the one Banks made was good, but the more I watch replays of it, the less impressed I am considering the hype of it being "the greatest save of all time".

Never gonna forget this one:

:heart:

[iseah100 5,612]

Never gonna forget this one:

[emoji813]

Unreal...

[CurlyHairLikeLuiz 1,625]

Hasn't Cech been starting all of our cup games, though? Would have thought this will be not different tbh...

[DH1988 1,273]

I'd buzz if Cech would stay another year, he certainly looks to keep Thibaut on his toes and during interviews they are always respectful to one another. Thibaut says Cech always gives him advice etc.

Hate to lose him, doesn't deserve the bench when he can walk into almost any team in world football but.. I'm selfish and an only child, what can I say.

[RoyalBlues 4,050]

GK specialist in Final