I think the time has come to make that tough decision which all great managers have to make. I don’t think we can afford to risk losing Courtois – he looks likely to become the world’s best keeper and he can be ours for the next decade. Cech is still a great keeper and at 32 (by the time next season starts), I know that is still no age for a keeper but we risk losing the very best for our long-term future. Just as Fergie had to let great players go when they still had a lot to offer (Hughes, RVN, Beckham, Stam to name but a few), I think we should reluctantly part company with Cech, unless he is prepared to accept he may not be number 1 going into next season.

 

It would be the end of an era, but the beginning of another exciting one, as I really do think, this kid is something special.

Watching Courtois this season has made me see we just can't afford to let this lad go.

Cech has been a great servant and still remains a top keeper but his best days IMO are behind him and we need to look at the future and Courtois is that.

If it means Cech has to move on or at least compete with the lad then so be it, we must not let the young boy leave...it would haunt us for years.

We have to think of the money we could get for Cech. He has to be worth in access of 20 million+, so if the decision is made to sell him; we could receive a nice sum of money for him. But, if we are going to sell him, then sell him to a side in Italy, Spain or France, not to another top EPL side. 

The general opinion is, is that Courtois is already one of the best 3 goalkeepers in the world and is likely only to get better. 

 

We've done Atletico a huge favour by allowing him to play there for 3 years but I think the time is right for him to return to Chelsea.

 

Whether that's to compete with Cech as number 1 or to take over altogether who knows but I think we need to be bold enough to show some faith in the talented youth players we've been signing. 

Watching Courtois this season has made me see we just can't afford to let this lad go.

Cech has been a great servant and still remains a top keeper but his best days IMO are behind him and we need to look at the future and Courtois is that.

If it means Cech has to move on or at least compete with the lad then so be it, we must not let the young boy leave...it would haunt us for years.

I agree with that. Cech is still a top keeper but we can't afford to let this lad slip away jes just to good. Cech has been our number one since he's first season with us he's had hardly no challenge in that time. Carlo was our number one and also the golden glove winner until cech came and Carlo just got on with it. I'd hope cech would do the same and fight for he's place. I want cech to stay but sadly all good things come to an end. I'd understand if cech was to leave and it would be a sad day but we can't leave courtois go hes just to good.

I agree with that. Cech is still a top keeper but we can't afford to let this lad slip away jes just to good. Cech has been our number one since he's first season with us he's had hardly no challenge in that time. Carlo was our number one and also the golden glove winner until cech came and Carlo just got on with it. I'd hope cech would do the same and fight for he's place. I want cech to stay but sadly all good things come to an end. I'd understand if cech was to leave and it would be a sad day but we can't leave courtois go hes just to good.

Yip.

Cech is a Chelsea legend and will go down as one of our best keepers of all time who was part of every good thing that has happend in the past decade.

However it's hard to contemplate him leaving or not being there with the 'iconic' headgear guarding our goal but we cannot let sentiment get into the way of things. We have here a young keeper who is already one of the best in Europe who can only improve and who has at least 10 years in his tank at the top.

I'm not sure what Jose will do as he has loyalty to certain players like Essien, Lamps and Cech so will he make that crucial decision looking at the next decade or will he go with his tried and tested man?

I have a feeling we will let Courtois slip through or fingers and keep going with Cech which will be looked upon in 3 or 4 years as a huge error just like Sturridge, Torres ect.

I think the time has come to make that tough decision which all great managers have to make. I don’t think we can afford to risk losing Courtois – he looks likely to become the world’s best keeper and he can be ours for the next decade. Cech is still a great keeper and at 32 (by the time next season starts), I know that is still no age for a keeper but we risk losing the very best for our long-term future. Just as Fergie had to let great players go when they still had a lot to offer (Hughes, RVN, Beckham, Stam to name but a few), I think we should reluctantly part company with Cech, unless he is prepared to accept he may not be number 1 going into next season.

 

It would be the end of an era, but the beginning of another exciting one, as I really do think, this kid is something special.

 

 

Nibs, would you not like to see chec break the clean sheat record in the prem? he's like 9 short? in more then half the games

How many clean sheets is he on?

How many clean sheets is he on?

 

159. He HAS to wrestle the record away from David James!

Yep, it would be great if he signs an extension, gets himself a nice little pay rise and stays at AM for one more season allowing Cech to break the record.

Cech is a Chelsea legend and will go down as one of our best keepers of all time who was part of every good thing that has happend in the past decade.

 

Why say this then instantly disregard it.

 

Fear of missing out is a bad reason to get rid of Cech too, imo.

Edited April 2, 201412 yr by Stim

I think there should be at least a season in which they compete for the #1 shirt. Cech is far too good and we owe him far too much to simply ditch him instantly when his performances have been more or less as good as ever; if Courtois is as good as he thinks he is then he can earn his place in the starting XI.

 

I can think of far worse things happening - we'll be reliving the good old days of having the two best keepers in the league, like in the days of Cech and Cudicini.

Nibs, would you not like to see chec break the clean sheat record in the prem? he's like 9 short? in more then half the games

 

It would be nice to see, but personal records cannot get in the way of the clubs future. He doesn't need a record like that for everyone to know what a great keeper he has been and Legend as far as CFC are concerned.

I think there should be at least a season in which they compete for the #1 shirt. Cech is far too good and we owe him far too much to simply ditch him instantly when his performances have been more or less as good as ever; if Courtois is as good as he thinks he is then he can earn his place in the starting XI.

 

I can think of far worse things happening - we'll be reliving the good old days of having the two best keepers in the league, like in the days of Cech and Cudicini.

 

 

In an ideal world I agree. But all of the top clubs will be looking to sign him and guarantee making him no 1. If say Real Madrid come in and say join us as our No.1, he is hardly going to say no, I'll stay at Chelsea and hope to get some games.

This is a really hard one

I would love for the pair to stay but that is asking for too much

The ideal situation would be to loan out Courtois for one more season allowing Cech to break the most Clean sheet in BPL record and then sell him off to a foreign league as a legend status in Chelsea's history

I can't see Courtois going out on loan for one more season though

 

Imo, Courtois has to be first choice for Chelsea next season

just look at the saves he made yesterday (never mind all the saves he made since joining A.Madrid

We have got to let Cech break that record. He needs 15 more clean sheets and he will go down as the Premier Leagues all time greatest goalkeeper.

We have got to let Cech break that record. He needs 15 more clean sheets and he will go down as the Premier Leagues all time greatest goalkeeper.

 

Sorry, but that really isn't a good enough reason to keep a player and at the risk of losing someone as good as Courtois.

It was interesting listening to Jimmy Floyd on Sky last night.  He was asked what he would do re Courtois and Cech and he said that he would choose the best keeper and that is Courtois.  

 

I think we have to bring him back to Chelsea and let him compete with Cech.  If Cech can hold him off then it means we will have a fantastic keeper and if he can't it still means we will have a fantastic keeper.  Win, win.

Sorry, but that really isn't a good enough reason to keep a player and at the risk of losing someone as good as Courtois.

Agreed.

Chelsea is not about one player.

We need to look at the next few years, what is the point buying talents when we just disrgard them for sentiment to other players already here?

If we go on like we have done I doubt many future stars will want to come here knowing we never give them a chance.

It's not just sentiment. Cech isn't some donkey we are keeping around. He is an integral part to the side and one of the most important factors in the many trophies we have won.

Edited April 2, 201412 yr by Stim

Sorry, but that really isn't a good enough reason to keep a player and at the risk of losing someone as good as Courtois.

 

That isn't my only reason trust me. I have said all my main reasons back a bit.

It's not just sentiment. Cech isn't some donkey we are keeping around. He is an integral part to the side and one of the most important factors in the many trophies we have won.

He is indeed however IMO he's not as good as he once was and I dont think he can or will improve.

We have the best young GK in the world in our hands and one who is perfroming every week in La Liga and in the CL, he will not settle playing second fiddle to Cech and why should he?

It's a tough decision but whats more important? Cech beating records and staying here for 2/3 more years or a world class keeper with 10/15 years in his tank?

It's not just sentiment. Cech isn't some donkey we are keeping around. He is an integral part to the side and one of the most important factors in the many trophies we have won.

 

No-one is saying Cech is a donkey - we all know how good he still is. But what he has helped us acheive is in the past and we have to be looking at our evolution and where we hope to be in a few seasons time and we cannot risk losing a keeper as good as Courtois clearly is when he is already ours. He has done more than enough during the last few seasons on loan for us to show faith in him.

It was interesting listening to Jimmy Floyd on Sky last night. He was asked what he would do re Courtois and Cech and he said that he would choose the best keeper and that is Courtois.

I think we have to bring him back to Chelsea and let him compete with Cech. If Cech can hold him off then it means we will have a fantastic keeper and if he can't it still means we will have a fantastic keeper. Win, win.

I think basically courtois has told chelsea I'm the number one and if he's not he will want a transfer. I heard that awhile back if my memory serves me right

He has done more than enough during the last few seasons on loan for us to show faith in him.

 

Fair enough but I feel Cech has done enough (and is still doing enough) for us to keep him number 1 til the day he hangs up his gloves.