Acquiring the services of a truly world-class goalkeeper can be one of the hardest tasks for any football manager, but Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho has the unusual fortune of possessing two.
However, that blessing does create a different kind of headache altogether. With only one pair of gloves up for offer, it is almost impossible to keep two genuinely brilliant custodians happy.
The meteoric rise of Thibaut Courtois means that Mourinho now faces the dilemma of being forced to choose between the Belgian and current Chelsea No.1 Petr Cech for a place in the starting line-up for next season.
That choice simply has to be Courtois.
Courtois has enjoyed a fantastic three-year spell on loan at Spanish club Atletico Madrid, culminating in a phenomenal La Liga title success this season—the first Rojiblancos triumph since 1996.
The 22-year-old goalkeeper played an instrumental role as Atletico conceded just 26 league goals all season, which was the best record of any La Liga club by some distance. A string of fine displays saw Courtois (via ESPN) claim an incredible 20 clean sheets in just 37 appearances. Additionally, the on-loan shot-stopper helped the Madrid club to a first Champions League final in 40 years.
Although this season is the one that has elevated Courtois into worldwide fame, his entire three-year spell at the Vicente Calderon has been a major success. The young custodian has lifted silverware in each of those campaigns, while racking up in excess of 150 appearances in the Spanish capital.
Combined with a Belgian Pro League title, won in his final campaign with previous club Genk, Courtois already boasts a more decorated CV than most. Meanwhile, next month’s FIFA World Cup will also afford him the chance to further enhance his reputation as one of the sport’s best young talents.
Only a small number of goalkeepers are ready for top-level football at such a premature stage, but Courtois is definitely one of them and it would be seen as a major step backwards if he were to spend next season in the dugout.
Last week, per BBC Sport, Courtois opened up to BBC Radio Five Live about the situation and concluded that sitting on the bench would not be a viable option. The Belgian said:
"I have the biggest respect for Petr Cech. He is one of the best goalkeepers in the world so I think putting him and me in the same team is not the healthiest thing in the world.
The two of us want to play everything. Nobody will be happy to play in only the League Cup or FA Cup."
After playing in a Champions League final and lifting a La Liga title within the last month, it is not hard to understand why Courtois would be reluctant to play second fiddle at Stamford Bridge.
If ever Mourinho needed proof of Courtois’ value, then he need look no further than the Champions League semi-final in which the young Belgian helped Atletico overcome his parent club in order to book their place in the final.
Over two legs, Courtois demonstrated a maturity and level of performance that verify his ability to play at the very top level—in spite of his tender age.
Source: Bleacher Report
By Liam Newman, Featured Columnist
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