You can't compare the treatment keepers get in England with the treatment in Spain. De Gea might've struggled initially, but Courtois never received that sort of treatment in his career so far. Bit silly to hold that against De Gea arguing Courtois never had those problems. The fact he had those problems coupled with the intense media scrutiny and worked so hard to improve and overcome those problems, without ever complaining about it, is a sign of his incredible mental strength and professionalism. So I find it more than a little silly calling Courtois more professional, level-headed, etc. while there is absolutely no evidence for that. On the contrary, everything points to De Gea possessing those traits in abundance, and he has been tested more in that area during his career.
You're free to disagree of course, but if you want to do so, do it with solid arguments instead of absolutes like "most level headed player on the world that I know off, never seen anyone that is more professional than he". That gets us nowhere.
So you are saying keepers in Spain aren't scrutinised by the media ? He is keeping at a team that is leading La Liga and is in the CL final, I'll tell you that is pressure and he has handled it imo beter than DDG (not saying DDG isn't worldclass, just saying never seen anyone like Courtois).
You want me to give another example, when Courtois was 16, he just got his debut at KRC Genk and the guy just keeped there on that day (and henceforth) like he was 35 year old regular that had done this already for decades. His words were along the lines off, it is not so different from a u21 match there is just a bit more people more. He never had any problems adjusting from the youth level to the first team at age 16 ! It was the same on his debut in Spain , a 19 year old coming from the Belgium first divison to La Liga on loan from Chelsea, didn't speak a word of Spanish to take over from DDG at AM. He immediatley slotted in like DDG never left, he picked up the language in a couple of months (fluently spanish right now) and is commanding his back line as the best. He has been such an important figure for AM, definitley delivered more in his time at AM than DDG (not the latter wasn't good, but Courtois is just on another level, ask the Atletico fans if you don't believe me). He is one of the most important reasons AM has a team right now good enough to win La Liga and play in the CL final. He got his debut in the national squad aged 19 aswell, same story there he just played like he was the first team regular there aswell. He didn't immediatly replaced Mignolet because Simon did very well for us and alot of people felt like he didn't deserve to be put out of the team (including me) but the new coach chose for Courtois, he has been goddamn right about it (and everybody now agrees Courtois is 2 levels ahead of Mignolet and is the clear undisputed nr 1). He had a brilliant performance in our qualifying campaign, alot of pople look at De Bruyne as our most important player, but the truth was it was Courtois that made our defence unplayable and was by far our most important player. The first time since Decades the Belgians will be in the WC and Courtois his performances have been vital in that success. Look at his stats, so many clean sheets, the amount of goals he lets in are just ridiculously low, both in the national team as at AM (sure it is not only his contribution that leads to that, but it is a clear indication of how good he is).
Not sure why you say DDG shot stopping is clearly beter than Courtois, I disagree, Courtois shot stopping is beter than anything I have seen from DDG to be honest, and again not saying DDG shot stopping isn't worldclass but Courtois is just beter (one of the if not the best I have ever seen). He commonly makes the most ridiculous (in a good minblowing way) saves, he always holds the ball, very secure. He has always been beter than DDG in the air aswell, very commanding, unbelievable amount of confidence in his game. You'd expect, just like DDG when put under pressure that he would struggle with some of these things, but he just deals with them like it is a complete non issue for him. He did that at age 16 at Genk and he is doing that now age 21 in a CL final team at AM. Sorry but this guy just has ice running through his veins, if he comes to Chelsea next year and keeps in the PL you'll see what i'am talking about. He'll be the same age as DDG when he had his first season here, and I guarantee you it will be a world of difference between the 2. I have no doubt he'll be seen as the best keeper in the PL by a mile without a shred of doubt. I have no doubt he'll deal with the media pressure and big expectations as if he never done anything else in his life. He is just that type of player and combined with the amount of talent and skill he has it makes him the clear nr 1 in the world.
You may call that silly arguments, but it is the genuine truth. I haven't seen a more finished player in the goal that Thibaut Courtois, at this age it really is mind blowing how good he is. I never thought 3 years ago he would become this good, that is why I say, knowing what I know now, I wouldn't doubt a second to pick him over DDG if I could, not a second. And it has nothing to do with his nationality, if he were Chinese I would say the same. The only difference is, I have seen him play regulary at different levels and I really how damn good he is. You guys will just have to see for yourself when he starts playing the PL, but I have no doubt after next year, most british people that follow the PL will consider him as the best in the world and definitley in the league. The only difference with me is I have seen enough of Courtois already to know that he will be that good.
) dub you "dark horses" for the WC is such an inane level of hype that it becomes meaningless all the same.