I think Petrs position is the least of our worries, Courtois is too good to be back up and Petr is too good to let go, I'd guess hes got three more seasons at the top level and for me the worry would be finding a back up keeper that good enough when called on but content to only be back up.

 

I can't see us keeping Courtois and think he would have been ideal if he didn't get so good so early, he'd have been better for us if he had a season out on loan without over impressing and then came in as back up for a season or two.

It's interesting how many of us are outraged about Lampard not getting a new contract, yet seemingly can't wait to get rid of Cech, who I would say has been just as important to us over the years.

 

We already have an established world class keeper who is still relatively young for a keeper, so it's not a position that I see needs improving. I certainly wouldn't swap him for a 20 year old who might be as good years from now. Sell Courtois for a healthy profit, maybe put in a buy back or sell on clause or use him as a sweetener for Falcao, a position that does need strengthening now. Then buy a competent second choice keeper and don't loan him out.

Cech for at least another season, ideally 2-3 more.

 

He should have been in the FIFA XI last year for his performances in winning us both trophies, there's no-one in the world i'd rather have than him right now.

 

He is the Drogba of goalkeepers. In the big games he always steps up.

Edited February 5, 201313 yr by Jonty

The only reason to get rid of Cech is if someone make a really good bid for him and we feel we need the money.

Erm...

Courtois for me, younger version of Cech in my eyes, with the potential to be even better, if we let him go. It'll come back and bite us in the arse.

I dont think it should be one or the other, We should have both at the club going for the 1 spot, Look at Spurs with Friedel and Lloris, Both were in and out of the team and now Lloris has stepped up a level.

We need 2 quality keepers putting pressure on each other, Cech is class but makes too many mistakes for my liking

 Petr still for me ,reliable and a strong character when the sh1t hits the fan off the pitch and it does Big Pete stands up .

 

  I would let Courtois have another year at Athletico (Falcao could come to us)  and then look to bring him back and compete with Petr.

I do think Cech shared a lot of blame for both of ManU goals, especially the second one.  But, he made a great double save against Rooney and Luiz (what the heck was he doing with that header?), so I forgive him, and think he should remain our number one for next season.  After that, I am not sure.  We definitely need to hold onto Cortois, who has cat-like reflexes like de Gea.

At the moment, in my opinion it's Begovic. He's been incredible this season, and probably the most consistent.

I rarely watch Stoke games, but the keepers in the prem who've impressed me this season are Mignolet & Vorm. Hart's had a bad season & in terms of quality over time I would say Hart & Cech are the top 2. Begovic, Mignolet & Vorm the best of the rest & on the up.

I think we can afford to wait one more season before bringing Courtois in. Wonder if Cech will accept being backup though or ask to leave. We were lucky that Cudicini was loyal to us for so long and accepted being on the bench.

I wouldn't blame Cech for refusing to be the back up when he's clearly still one of the best in the world. No question he's who I want in net for the foreseeable future. 

Courtois looks very good and has great potential, but to bring him in as number one next season could be a huge error. look how long its taken de gea to start performing anywhere near a decent level, and he had an equally good rep in spain. with the team the way it is at the moment, and us struggling to get top 4 this season, i think the last thing we need is a slow start next year while the keeper 'adjusts' to the prem. cech number one, courtois loaned to one of the prem new boys for experience

As I have said on many occasions, Petr's weakness are those crosses where he has to suddenly make a decision, those balls that come across him at an angle, now whether that is the entire defensive set up or him alone only he knows.  Both goals yesterday were down to him.  Why did go wandering off his line looking for that first so called cross.  And the second, how many times have we seen those go in over the years. He just doesn't seem to command the area as he did prior to his injury, even Cahill was having a go at him yesterday for his indecisiveness.  I think Courtois needs to be brought back next season and ensure that he plays at least a 1/3 of the games over Cech....IMO

first goal I make cech most culpable, though azpi and cahill both also contribute (in smaller ways) to us conceding.

 

second goal definitely not. I think luiz should clear it as he reads the flight of the ball and is in a position to meet it. evans makes it difficult but I think if luiz is a bit stronger / more aggressive he deals with it. cech cannot do anything until the ball passes those two and after that he has little chance. the flight of the ball and number of bodies between him and it makes it impossible to come for it IMO.

 

also I'd make the small point that he hasn't really made a mistake for a while and he did make a couple of crucial saves after the goals also.

Isn't Cech facing shoulder surgery in the off season? How worried are we about that hurting his form. I could see management letting him go in favor of Courtois. They don't seem to value the veterans.

As for the ManU goals, my question is why wasn't anyone guarding the far post on Rooney's free kick? Ash should have been there for one of his classic goal-line clearances. Cech was at fault on the first but credit to Carrick for a great pass and to Hernandes for an impressive finish.

first goal I make cech most culpable, though azpi and cahill both also contribute (in smaller ways) to us conceding.

 

second goal definitely not. I think luiz should clear it as he reads the flight of the ball and is in a position to meet it. evans makes it difficult but I think if luiz is a bit stronger / more aggressive he deals with it. cech cannot do anything until the ball passes those two and after that he has little chance. the flight of the ball and number of bodies between him and it makes it impossible to come for it IMO.

 

also I'd make the small point that he hasn't really made a mistake for a while and he did make a couple of crucial saves after the goals also.

 

Heh, that's gotta be the first time anyone's wanted Luiz to be more aggressive.

Why not Cech and Courtois?

Well I think it's a position you don't want to rotate. Changing the keeper often creates uncertainty. The best defences are the ones where each defender can predict what the others will do. that's why I don't like rotation in those positions.

Didn't want to make a new thread but couldn't overlook this, either. Big Pete and Queen's Roger Taylor, two people I have a lot of love and respect for. By the way, didn't know Roger was a CFC fan.

 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/24821819

Not worth starting a new topic for, but Cech interview on Football Focus right now

Courtois for me. Cech's not had a decent keeper challenge him for the last 10 years.

The legend worshipers will be de livid but Cech needs serious competition or more probably moving on.The reflexes are not the same anymore,we have seen the bwst of him.I dont want to see him go the same way as SFL ,just another old boy getting a favour from the manager.

Think both of them should be here and given equal chances to win the number 1 shirt. There is no international tournament at the end of next season that either would be concerned about losing his place for. So for 1 season let them go head to head then make the final choice at the end of the season.

Both of them competing would be detrimental to them both and the team. Pick one and be done with it.

 

Pick Cech and be done with it.

 

 

The legend worshipers will be de livid but Cech needs serious competition or more probably moving on.The reflexes are not the same anymore,we have seen the bwst of him.I dont want to see him go the same way as SFL ,just another old boy getting a favour from the manager.

 

We've seen many times this season already that Cechs reflexes are still top class.