Thibaut Courtois

JazzG said:
Why would they recall him? Cech is doing fine at Chelsea, they'd probably leave him there for another two seasons. Let him develop further at which point Cech will be approaching 35 and they'll have a 23 year old Courtois who will probably be one of if the best keeper in the world at this point to replace him.

I'm guessing they'll be in for Diego Costa this summer so extending his loan will sweeten the deal.
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He's already one of the best keepers in the world, why wait two seasons when he's already overtaken Cech?
 
JazzG said:
Why would they recall him? Cech is doing fine at Chelsea, they'd probably leave him there for another two seasons. Let him develop further at which point Cech will be approaching 35 and they'll have a 23 year old Courtois who will probably be one of if the best keeper in the world at this point to replace him.

I'm guessing they'll be in for Diego Costa this summer so extending his loan will sweeten the deal.
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If you have a world class player, maybe the best at his position in the world, on a plate for you and he's an upgrade on what you currently have then why not?

Even if it's only a slight improvement it wouldn't cost you a pound. Get him adjusted to a new league and new teammates.
 
He's 23 years old and at that age for a keeper probably best served gaining more experience. They'll bring him back when Cech is nearing the end at Chelsea and get a chance if they want to ease him in. Much tougher being a keeper here than La Liga, as De Gea found out.

I also don't think he is much of an upgrade on Cech who's been very good for them this season. Bottom line is Chelsea don't desperately need him right now. Which is why there is talk of him extending his Chelsea contract and being loaned back to them for at least another season.
 
iBoss said:
In some of the interviews I've read, Courtois seems to come off a bit annoyed with Chelsea and the way he has been treated. He probably feels more like an Atletico player.
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I get the same impression. If given the choice right now I think he'd rather stay, but once he actually does go back I don't think it'll be a problem or anything.
 
JazzG said:
He's 23 years old and at that age for a keeper probably best served gaining more experience. They'll bring him back when Cech is nearing the end at Chelsea and get a chance if they want to ease him in. Much tougher being a keeper here than La Liga, as De Gea found out.

I also don't think he is much of an upgrade on Cech who's been very good for them this season. Bottom line is Chelsea don't desperately need him right now. Which is why there is talk of him extending his Chelsea contract and being loaned back to them for at least another season.
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He hardly lacks experience though. After this summer he'll have played in a World Cup, he'll have played in a Champions League final, he'll most likely have lead his team to a La Liga title. He's already played over 200 career games at the age of 21 so he's a lot more experienced than his age suggests.

The transition to the new league is a valid point, but that's always going to hang over him until he actually moves. I don't think it's any tougher for what it's worth, just a different style to adjust to.
 
Think Chelsea will actually sell him to Athletico, they'll use him to get Costa.

Mourinho said he was an "Atheltico player" when asked if he'll be back at Chelsea next season.
 
iBoss said:
In some of the interviews I've read, Courtois seems to come off a bit annoyed with Chelsea and the way he has been treated. He probably feels more like an Atletico player.
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Wouldn't be surprised if he did, considering he was sent on loan almost instantly after they signed him and he hasn't gone back since he signed in 2011.
 
I still wouldn't trade De Gea for him. No chance. Both are the two best young prospects in the world though. Ter Stegen comes in a close third.
 
Archie Leach said:
I don't rate De Gea as highly, although it's negligible.
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Fair enough. I think you are letting your bias get in the way there though.

DDG was equally as impressive for Atletico Madrid as a 20 year old in terms of making outstanding saves. Now he has even settled completely in the PL and is the best keeper here by a country mile. So I would have thought it's normal why someone would chose DDG over Courtois rather than the other way round.
 
Ekeke said:
Given De Gea is a better shot stopper, he can easily make up for not being quite as tall in other areas
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I don't think he is. I think the only area where De Gea is clearly better is distribution. I think Courtois isn't as good in that area.
 
I think his distribution is not as good as DDG. I have based this only on watching him for the second half. Is he better at distribution? I have seen a lot of his shotstopping on youtube and that is really good.
 
NK86 said:
Fair enough. I think you are letting your bias get in the way there though.

DDG was equally as impressive for Atletico Madrid as a 20 year old in terms of making outstanding saves. Now he has even settled completely in the PL and is the best keeper here by a country mile. So I would have thought it's normal why someone would chose DDG over Courtois rather than the other way round.
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He's an Arsenal supporter. He's likely to be more objective than most on here.i agree with him, it's very close, but I prefer Courtois.
 
De Gea's experience in English football has, in all likelihood, made him a more rounded goalkeeper. He's improved aerially, and is probably better in that respect, and I'm absolutely adamant that he's got the best reflexes in the game as it is. Courtois is obviously brilliant, mind.
 
This Courtois situation is weird to me. They basically bought him so Atletico could use him. At least when they had Alex at PSV for three years it was because of a work permit. By now you would think they would be able to decide to either drop Cech or sell Courtois to Atletico.
 
BarneyLFC said:
He's an Arsenal supporter. He's likely to be more objective than most on here.i agree with him, it's very close, but I prefer Courtois.
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I know he is an Arsenal supporter and that's why I questioned his bias. It's almost as if I meant that a fan will not give fair credit to a rival team's player. Strange, I know!
 
Kag said:
De Gea's experience in English football has, in all likelihood, made him a more rounded goalkeeper. He's improved aerially, and is probably better in that respect, and I'm absolutely adamant that he's got the best reflexes in the game as it is. Courtois is obviously brilliant, mind.
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He's better aerially than the nearly 6'7" Courtois? Seriously asking here.
 
BarneyLFC said:
I don't think he is. I think the only area where De Gea is clearly better is distribution. I think Courtois isn't as good in that area.
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I completely disagree, seen Courtois beaten several times where I'm used to seeing De Gea save our asses
 
Orc said:
He's better aerially than the nearly 6'7" Courtois? Seriously asking here.
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De Gea has played Premier League football for three years now, coming up against oafs like Andy Carroll and Kevin Nolan. Courtois still has all of that to come. Now, he might take to it like duck to water, but there's also a chance that he will take time to settle in. He's tall, yes, but he still doesn't look all that domineering in the air, nor is he playing in a league that has really tested this side of his game. Dave is that bit more proven and rounded, for me.
 
Orc said:
He's better aerially than the nearly 6'7" Courtois? Seriously asking here.
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Courtois looked a bit dodgy under Chelsea corners at times.
 
Archie Leach said:
I got accused of something similar because I think Messi is better than Ronaldo. I find it a bit weird.
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No, as I mentioned you could think that Courtois is better but I actually pointed DDG is already proven in multiple leagues and he had also shown the same level of performances with Atletico as Courtois is showing now. I think both are exceptionally talented keepers and will perhaps be jostling for the #1 spot among GKs very soon. At this moment in time, DDG is better as not only is he as good as Courtois in reflex saves and command of the box, but his distribution is head and shoulders above Courtois'.

If you disagree with that assessment and give your own to support your thinking, fair play. However you are just saying that you feel Courtois is better without actually backing it up. So I feel that it is swayed because DDG plays for strong domestic rival and it's normal to not give total credit in such cases. And to be frank there is nothing wrong with that as loads of fans do it including me.
 
NK86 said:
No, as I mentioned you could think that Courtois is better but I actually pointed DDG is already proven in multiple leagues and he had also shown the same level of performances with Atletico as Courtois is showing now. I think both are exceptionally talented keepers and will perhaps be jostling for the #1 spot among GKs very soon. At this moment in time, DDG is better as not only is he as good as Courtois in reflex saves and command of the box, but his distribution is head and shoulders above Courtois'.

If you disagree with that assessment and give your own to support your thinking, fair play. However you are just saying that you feel Courtois is better without actually backing it up. So I feel that it is swayed because DDG plays for strong domestic rival and it's normal to not give total credit in such cases. And to be frank there is nothing wrong with that as loads of fans do it including me.
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Right, that's your opinion. I sway slightly in favour of Courtois from what I've seen of both, but it's just opinion either way. I can talk about command of the air, reflexes but it's as meaningless as when you say it.

You calling my opinion into question because I support Arsenal is crap.
 
I can't seperate him and de gea, both world class. It's not like I've just seen him once or twice either. He's made like 5 mistakes in his whole time at Atletico. Such a calm figure in the side which is crazy at 21. Really hope Chelsea don't take him back, as he will become much better than Cech.
 
If I am in Chelsea postion I would probably offer him a new contract he couldn't refuse and loan him back to Athletico for as long as they like, until Cech doesn't have it anymore.
 
de gea and courtois are 2 of the best young GKs in the world right now.

chelsea got a very good problem to have now, whether to stay with cech or call courtois back because he is more than ready now. but they got a simple solution even for next 2 or 3 seasons because atletico will be happy to have him there for another few years until a chelsea manager decide to drop cech of course.
 
Archie Leach said:
Right, that's your opinion. I sway slightly in favour of Courtois from what I've seen of both, but it's just opinion either way. I can talk about command of the air, reflexes but it's as meaningless as when you say it.

You calling my opinion into question because I support Arsenal is crap.
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I maybe wrong in perhaps questioning the reasoning behond your opinon but DDG had already shown the same talent and ability what Courtois is showing now at the same age. Since then DDG has come to a new league and proven himself as a world class GK. Courtois' distribution is not even close to DDG's and his command of the box is not as good as DDG's currently is.
 
ricky-romeo said:
de gea and courtois are 2 of the best young GKs in the world right now.

chelsea got a very good problem to have now, whether to stay with cech or call courtois back because he is more than ready now. but they got a simple solution even for next 2 or 3 seasons because atletico will be happy to have him there for another few years until a chelsea manager decide to drop cech of course.
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Will Courtois extend his contract if Chelsea want to loan him out again? Be interesting to see. If they can do that, then they have a great back up already in place for Cech. I hope Madrid come calling before that so that they keep their grubby paws off our DDG.
 
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In truth, the difference in quality between the top 3 keepers in the world(courtois, DDG, and Neuer) is pretty neglegible. There's really very little point in having a long drawn out discussion about it. They're all clearly world class and are poised to be the standard of their position for quite some time. No, he wouldn't struggle in the prem. Have people seen the size of this lad? People assume just cause ddg struggled at first when he came to the league so, so would he, but that doesn't take into consideration the obvious size difference.
 
RooneyLegend said:
In truth, the difference in quality between the top 3 keepers in the world(courtois, DDG, and Neuer) is pretty neglegible. There's really very little point in having a long drawn out discussion about it. They're all clearly world class and are poised to be the standard of their position for quite some time. No, he wouldn't struggle in the prem. Have people seen the size of this lad? People assume just cause ddg struggled at first when he came to the league so, so would he, but that doesn't take into consideration the obvious size difference.
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It's not only about the size. It's about knowing when to come out for crosses and when to stay back. The area is so crowded that it will take some time to adapt.
 
Chelsea really do need to play his situation carefully.

He has been at Atletico for all of his "Chelsea" career. Even in the tunnel I didn't see any Chelsea players embrace him, where as Terry and Thiago gave eachother a hug etc.

Courtois probably feels at home with Atletico now, and if they continue to improve he might want to stay there permanently. His contract must only have 1/2 years left by now? If he doesn't resign he could well be off on a free.

If I was Chelsea I would probably be looking to move Cech on in the summer and install him as the permanent keeper. It's not worth the risk of losing such a talent in the future.
 
NK86 said:
It's not only about the size. It's about knowing when to come out for crosses and when to stay back. The area is so crowded that it will take some time to adapt.
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With his size he knows he can get into the crowd and pluck in out of the air which is what ddg struggled with. Plenty of keepers took to the prem like a duck to water. VDS, Lehman, and cech to name but a few.
 
Struggled a bit on aerial ball situations last night but he'll sort it out, just like De Gea did.
 
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