After recently picking up the goalkeeper of the season award at the La Liga awards, it may be in the Belgian’s best interests to stay with Atletico Madrid instead of returning to London to face competition with Petr Cech
The 21-year-old is currently in his third successive season on-loan with Atletico after the Blues signed the Belgian from Genk in the summer of 2011. However, with Petr Cech still considered No.1 at Stamford Bridge it’s unknown what sort of a role Courtois will play at the west London club next term, as his Club and National team mate Toby Alderweireld has advised the youngster to leave the Stamford bridge.
“He does not want to sit on the bench for eight games then play for one,” the Atletico centre-back told Sky Sports. “He is very smart and I think it would be a good choice for him to maybe stay with Atletico, or go to another club where he will be number one.”
Courtois is remaining quiet on his future, but with many rating the player as one of the best ‘keepers in the world and clubs with the stature of Barcelona interested, the starlet will hardly be short of potential suitors.
Jose Mourinho meanwhile faces a dilemma if the Portuguese coach wants to hold onto the stopper, as it would mean sacrificing Cech – one of the best players between the sticks in Premier League history. However, the Czech Republic international is over a decade older than Courtois and therefore Mourinho may be better placed looking to the future – but it would mean showing a lack of loyalty and respect to the past.
With Courtois currently recognised as one of the worlds brightest young goalkeeping talents, it may be best if he can part ways with Chelsea, for his own development, and also to show the likes of Chelsea that they must show faith in their young players or risk losing them.
On his third year with Atletico on loan, the keeper certainly has the potential to be a first team player at the helm of Barcelona and Real Madrid. In his 15 league appearances this season, Courtois, according to squawka.com has kept 7 clean sheets on par with Barca’s Victor Valdes who has a world class back-four ahead of him while Courtois has done the same with an average set of defenders to cover his goal. His average goal conceded stand at 0.60, one of the least in the league and Valdes comes in closest standing at 0.62, while Real Madrid’s Lopez has conceded an astounding 1.13 goals on average.
Although I am not stressing the point that Courtois should be leave to Barcelona, the goalkeeper certainly doesn’t deserve to play on loan at the same club for three years. If Barca or any other European giant comes calling during the Summer window, it is the best that he leaves to join the club permanently.
All the stats are taken from squawka