COURTOIS READY TO COMMIT FUTURE TO CHELSEA: Thibaut Courtois will return to Chelsea next season and is set to commit his long-term future to the club, reports the Daily Mirror. Courtois originally joined Chelsea in the summer of 2011 but has yet to make his debut for the club, instead spending three seasons on loan at Atletico Madrid. During those three years, Courtois reputation has grown astronomically, with many considering the 21-year-old to be the best goalkeeper in La Liga and one of the best young goalkeepers in the world. His fine form has given Jose Mourinho somewhat of a selection headache. Chelsea currently have their record clean sheet holder Petr Cech at their disposal with the Czech international maintaining a firm number one spot for over almost 10 years. At only 31-years-old, Cech is arguably only just entering his prime years at Stamford Bridge and wont give up his place in the team without a fight. Equally, Courtois has grown used to first-team football at the Vicente Calderon and wont willingly return to Chelsea without a guarantee of first team football. However, Mourinho has decided that he wants Courtois back at Stamford Bridge for next season and will give him the number one shirt along with a new five-year contract. Courtois current deal has just two-years to run on it and is expected to be given a hefty wage rise as well. Although Chelsea owe a lot to Cech, Mourinho is concerned with establishing a new set of stars to secure Chelseas future. The Chelsea manager is still a massive fan of Cech but he is 10-years older than Courtois. Mourinhos hope is that Cech will agree to mentor Courtois with a view to helping guarantee Chelseas future at the top. But Cech is also hoping for a new contract this summer along with veterans John Terry and Frank Lampard. Courtois has been linked with a move away from Chelsea in recent months as his future at the Bridge became shrouded in doubt. Barcelona and Real Madrid were both reportedly keen to take him off Chelseas hands but both look to have missed their opportunity to tempt the Belgian international away from the Blues. However, because of his age and the fact his still has two-years to run on his current deal, he is unlikely to get any more than a 12 month extension.
Posted on: Sun, 23 Mar 2014 12:42:44 +0000
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