Thibaut Courtois looks set to finally get his heart’s deepest desire 0f vacating his house in London as he heads back to Spain to be closer to his children and also take the number 1 spot from Keylor Navas as the Real Madrid first-choice goalkeeper.
Marca reports the current Chelsea shot-stopper will arrive at the Spanish capital and consider it his new home as a €35m agreement between Chelsea and Real Madrid have been reached. The Golden Glove winner of the 2018 FIFA World Cup has been keen on a move away from the West London based club and has always been doing everything in his power to suggest to the Chelsea hierarchy that he is unsettled at the club, be it delaying in signing a contract extension or claiming that his wage demands are not being met.
It seems the giant Belgian has finally got his wish fulfilled and will now be able to make the move he so long craved for. Courtois has spent four seasons at the Bridge and picked up four major titles in his time there. With the 26-year-old set for an exit, the Blues will have to find themselves a viable replacement for him and they can consider bringing in the three following candidates.
Keylor Navas
Chelsea can look to out of favor, Madrid goalkeeper, Keylor Navas as a replacement for the Belgian. Navas has enough quality to fill in the vacant position at the Bridge and would be an automatic first choice ahead of Willy Caballero. Navas possesses very good reflexes and is good at saving close range shots.
Kasper Schmeichel
Leicester City‘s Kasper Schmeichel would also make a fine replacement of Courtois’ vacant position on the pitch. The Danish goalkeeper has played more than 100 games in the English top flight and has bags of Premier League experience under his belt and would fit in well at Chelsea. He is strong at punching the ball away from dangerous situations and is able to come off his line often to make himself bigger at goal and in turn close down the angle from which the opposition is left to shoot at.
Jan Oblak
Chelsea hierarchy should look at Atletico Madrid‘s goalkeeper Jan Oblak as their number one target to replace the outgoing Courtois. Oblak is excellent with his reflexes and his positioning and awareness are on the mark. He is good at saving penalties but lacks the ability to play a long pass. He is also good at saving close range shots.
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A Little Footnote from a Chelsea fan!
Chelsea fans can understand Courtois’ decision to head to Madrid and they can accept it. Having a world-class goalkeeper taking charge at the post eases one’s nerves. However, Courtois never played with his heart at Chelsea. It felt like his heart was always away at Spain. Chelsea needed Tibo to commit to them in matches the way he committed himself for the Belgian cause.
No one is bigger than the club. Adieu to you, big man.
