http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/27857265 Great news in my opinion!! Anyone think we could see Cech leave now? I think Courtois is better than cech now even though he has been a great servant to the club!
Truthfully neither of them should be a #2. I can't see any solution except for Cech to leave. Tough call and sad decision, but nothing is forever, and Cech will have no trouble finding an absolutely top team, then probably saving a penalty against us in some huge game !!!
I don't think we can keep both, it is unrealistic for the good of the squad. Both are too good to be a number two, both are in the top ten keepers in the world, I'd actually lose a bit of respect for either if they were happy to warm the bench. Ideally we get Cech off to a team like AC Milan or Monaco, someone either not in CL or not a huge threat right away. Thibaut Courtois is our new generation keeper. Letting him go ranks up there with Robben and Sturrdige for me, although for differing reasons.
That is a good start to the season for you guys. The spine of the team is sooooo strong. Curtois, Mr dependable John Terry, hopefully an inspired Fabregas and a fit Costa.
Agree entirely. JM seems to have chosen his words very carefully and committed to nothing. If we don't make the decision to make Courtois first choice then we'll probably have to cash in otherwise he'll just run his contract out whilst on loan and we'll end up with nothing. I can't see him signing another contract at Chelsea.
Hard to argue with this. Courtois would not come to be #2 when he could walk in to any team on earth as #1. Therefore I think we can assume Jose has confirmed he will be #1, because Courtois is holding all the Aces. Petr Cech has little option but to leave. He is a top, top keeper, but Courtois is better, younger and groomed to take his place. If they weren't goalkeepers there would be no problem, but keepers have to play so neither would accept 2nd place surely.
Can't disagree CP. I'm just a little concerned with JM's choice of phrase. ''There is no story. After the World Cup, Courtois will return directly to Stamford Bridge." Nothing at all about him staying or playing which leaves us all guessing - much like we were before. I try not to do sentiment in football these days though we have been seriously tested with the departures of Lamps, Cole and now looking at the possibility of big Pete. They have been paid handsomely for their brilliant and appreciated efforts but we must not let go of the fact that they were all kissing the badges of other clubs before arriving at Chelsea so the good of C.F.C always comes first. In this instance it is time for Courtois to step up because if we put it off we'll likely lose him and that will prove a negative for us as he's already superb but will get even better.
Always difficult when you have to juggle the goalkeepers around, hard to let them go when you are not sure what they still have left in them. I tried to find a list of all the goalkeepers we have had since the beginning but google doesn't want to play with me, and the ol' memory isnt what it was. Soooo I would love to know who has been your favourite goalkeeper from them all. For me it has to be 'The Cat' Peter Bonetti of course. Is this ok to do on here or does this need a new thread ? sorry if stepping on toes feel free if anyone wants to move it .
I think Cech will stay as a number 2 this season, hes not going to take a wage cut, but i think it will be hard for him to leave after 10 years. Im sure he'd be more than happy to wait and see if Courtois can live upto his expectation next year.
I think Jose simply means Courtois isn't going back to Athletico. Another loan or sale is more likely. I do rate him good enough to take over from Cech, but both Jose and Roman seem to put great store on loyalty and they must feel Cech deserves theirs. You only have to hear what Roman said about Lamps to understand his thoughts on the old guard. Jose is also one to use trusted and reliable. Again not that Courtois isn't reliable but he's just been on the outside of the squad for so long. If Cech were closer to forty than thirty then I'm sure he'd be asked to be number two, much as Lamps was told his extension depended on less starts. I'm sure ideally Chelsea want Cech for two more years as first choice and hang on to Courtois letting him play at as high a level as possible. I think this plan is being scuppered by Courtois who quite rightly wants to play for Chelsea.
I think what's happened with Cole and Lamps shows the clubs aren't going to be loyal for the sake of it. Cech obviously has potentially more time left at the top then those two but if it's best for Chelsea, I think Courtois will return and they'll let the keepers battle it out. Courtois is the best young keeper in the world and probably top 5 keeper full stop and we'd be mad to let him leave. Another loan is a complete non starter unless he signs a long contract extension to.
This He only has two years left on his contract. He will not sign an extension just be loaned out again until we decide Cechs time is up. If he isnt brought back and given games, he will not sign and we will lose him. So the time to act is now, maybe have him AND cech for one season and then get rid of Cech next summer. IF Courtois is willing to share keeper duties for one season. If he isnt, then Cech must go, otherwise we lose Courtois. Its that simple.
I said so at the time and maintain we were mad to let him have another year on loan at AM without having him sign an extension last summer.
Would love it if they were to share the duties (if only for a season) but should Courtois refuse to be nothing other than 1st choice isn't he just as guilty of the very thing we're all being critical of Lukaku for? We find ourselves in a very delicate predicament with this pair and it'll be interesting to see how it is all resolved.
The difference is, Courtois has proven that he is a World class player and can handle the biggest stage. Lukaku has shown us he can grab a handful of goals for midtable teams. Courtois is already World class, Lukaku isnt.
Good point Bodanki. I just don't like the thought of anyone dictating to Chelsea F.C. Anyway, I'm sure the solution has already been found but we're yet to be told the details hence all the speculation.
Its all too prevalent these days, players hold more and more of the cards, due to their value to the clubs they play for. Chelsea know that in Courtois they have one of two things, either a long term, world class keeper, or a player they can flog for a shed load of cash. My only worry is us dithering, him refusing to sign an extension and he goes for free or dirt cheap to a rival.
