Manchester United’s David de Gea vs Chelsea’s Thibaut Courtois – A Statistical Comparison

Comparison: David de Gea vs Thibaut Courtois

Manchester United and Chelsea are two of the best defences in the top flight of English football and the form of their shot stoppers is one of the major reasons for their discipline at the back. While Belgian star Thibaut Courtois is close to lifting the title with the Blues, Spaniard De Gea has helped Manchester United to the semi-final of the Europa League and to within the reach of a place in the Champions League next season. But how do these two of the best goalkeepers in England compare? Here is a statistical comparison of the duo:

Both players have played exactly 2880 minutes for their sides this season. While Chelsea have conceded 27 goals, United have let in just 24. Chelsea also have one of the best defences in the league but Courtois has kept 13 clean sheets this season compared to De Gea’s 14 in the domestic competition.

The likes of Cesar Azpilicueta, David Luiz, and Gary Cahill have formed a great partnership at the back for the Blues, yet Courtois has had to make 51 saves this season. De Gea, playing behind a defence that has been inconsistent and hit by injuries, has made just 50 saves. However, De Gea has been more instrumental in United’s defence as he makes 2.17 saves per goal that he lets it. Courtois, on the other hand, is not as productive and makes just 1.96 saves per goal conceded.

Both players are decent with the ball at their feet and have some astonishing accuracy in passing the ball. De Gea has a distribution accuracy of 65% while Courtois has been slightly more accurate with 69%.

But the biggest factor for both the goalkeepers is the way they tend to dominate their box. Courtois is a commanding goalkeeper who loves to take over most balls played into his box. He has made 15 punches and has collected 62 balls in the air in his box.

De Gea is also confident with his handling and has made 65 catches, 3 more than Courtois. However, he more often than not opts to stay on his line and has made just 3 punches all season.

Both players are right up there with the best in Europe and it is going to be hard for any club to replace them in the first team. Both players have been linked with a move to Real Madrid at the end of the season, and surely, Zidane will have his eye on two of the best players in this position.

*Stats for De Gea and Courtois were taken from Squawka.