I guess he has been told not to collect difficult balls inside the box as the defence can deal with it. And the defence has dealt with such balls beautifully.

I am so confident in Courtois at the moment. This is truly the first time since 04-05 and 05-06 that I feel our goal is almost impenetrable. His distribution is excellent as well. He has really grown this season, something has clearly changed.

I also love the way he celebrates our goals.

10 minutes ago, ashwin said:

I guess he has been told not to collect difficult balls inside the box as the defence can deal with it. And the defence has dealt with such balls beautifully.

I am so confident in Courtois at the moment. This is truly the first time since 04-05 and 05-06 that I feel our goal is almost impenetrable. His distribution is excellent as well. He has really grown this season, something has clearly changed.

I also love the way he celebrates our goals.

Most of the time you are told as a keeper to come and take the pressure of the defense when ever possible, it seemed to happen after the injury, did look to be getting back to it this season, but in his first year and ateltico he was all conquering. With regards to the distribution, we shouldn't underestimate, the ballance Alonso offers us, wins most of his flick on's and gives TBO to flanks to aim for. I don't think his distiribution was ever bad, just limited in his options.

3 minutes ago, barak81 said:

Most of the time you are told as a keeper to come and take the pressure of the defense when ever possible, it seemed to happen after the injury, did look to be getting back to it this season, but in his first year and ateltico he was all conquering. With regards to the distribution, we shouldn't underestimate, the ballance Alonso offers us, wins most of his flick on's and gives TBO to flanks to aim for. I don't think his distiribution was ever bad, just limited in his options.

True. Both Alonso and Moses give him something to aim for and that is actually one of Alonso's biggest strengths and something we'll really miss if say Pedro was to play left wing back.

I was also referring to his ability now to start fast breaks by making the right choices while throwing the ball out.

41 minutes ago, ashwin said:

True. Both Alonso and Moses give him something to aim for and that is actually one of Alonso's biggest strengths and something we'll really miss if say Pedro was to play left wing back.

I was also referring to his ability now to start fast breaks by making the right choices while throwing the ball out.

Agreed, at least twice yesterday he saw the opportunity to set us away and but for a bit of wayward passing we would have been in on goal 

So nice to see him playing it out from the back with his improved passing instead of just constantly punting the ball upfield. You can see he's still getting comfortable with passing out from the back as sometimes he gets a little reluctant with the ball. 

3 hours ago, enigma said:

So nice to see him playing it out from the back with his improved passing instead of just constantly punting the ball upfield. You can see he's still getting comfortable with passing out from the back as sometimes he gets a little reluctant with the ball. 

It's nice to see the confidence, but i do sh*t myself when i see us pass back towards the goal so often. He has to get his touch spot on every single time or it's just going to go into the back of the net.

If we are going to play it back to the keeper, i would prefer us to play it away from the goal. Sooner or later, Courtois isn't going to get his touch right and that ball is just going to go into the back of the net.

Courtois been terrific hopefully we don't need to worry over him leaving 

Have seen some very good saves on Match Of The Day.

 

 

Thank you, PythonLu.

It's obvious we made the right decision let Cech go and kept Courtois 2 years ago. Cech is slowly deteriorating, still a top class GK for a top fighting for the 4th position. Courtois is getting better with each game, he's probably pretty annoyed he didn't get the clean sheet, poor defending in the end after we f* up a golden chance to make it 4:0 at the other end.

This man deserves this vacation. Especially since he's not getting all the credits he deserves for his work.

 

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2017/02/06/best-weekend-ever-chelseas-thibaut-courtois-enjoys-two-day-10000/

Hopefully he's not tired when we return to action.

I'm liking the quick roll out from the top of the area to costa to get us on a quick counter attack. Good work on the training ground, something so simple but very effective.

The quick long throw adds another dimension to his game. In the past our GK used to wait and watch before launch a long kick downfield, drive me crazy! If he likes Madrid that much, gives him a couple of days off every fortnight to live in Madrid, if it means he will sign another contract and keep making those saves,

Sounds like he's staying. His latest interview suggest that anyways.

For me thats great news. Best keeper in the league this season.

Chelsea goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois has quashed speculation that he could play for Real Madrid next season.

Courtois has been linked with Madrid since last season, and Marca recently reported that they could move for him if they fail to acquire Manchester United goalkeeper David De Gea in the summer.

But Belgium international Courtois, who spent three years on loan at Atletico Madrid before replacing Petr Cech as the No. 1 at Stamford Bridge in 2014, told Cadena Ser radio: "I don't see myself at Real Madrid.

"I see myself at Chelsea, the club that six years ago saw me playing in Belgium and gave me the opportunity to sign for them.

"They also allowed me to be three years at Atletico, which helped me to be the keeper that I am now.

"I feel that I'm key to the team, I'm very happy at Chelsea, and I don't see myself anywhere else."

Asked whether he would play for Real next season, the 24-year-old answered: "No."

Courtois said he would like to extend his deal with Chelsea, which expires in June 2019, but has yet to be offered a contract extension.

He added: "But for the time being, we have not spoken about a contract extension. We are focusing on the league.

"We will see at the end of the season if they offer me something. For the time being, there has not been an offer.

"I'm happy in London and I'm delighted with the success we are having this season."

Under new coach Antonio Conte, Chelsea are 10 points clear at the top of the Premier League and Courtois said: "We are working well with Conte.

"I see that there is a long-term project to win trophies, not just domestically but also in Europe. There is a lot of ambition to play in the Champion League next season."

Courtois said earlier this season he would like to return to Spain one day and added: "I owe a lot to Spain and I go often there to visit the family, who are in Madrid. But I'm happy in London."

Real Madrid goalkeeper Keylor Navas, meanwhile, refused to talk about reports that the club are keen to bring in another goalkeeper.

The Costa Rica international told Marca: "Every player of Real Madrid is under the microscope."

Navas has been under pressure this season after some mistakes, but Courtois said: "Perhaps Keylor is not having the season he had last season, but we all know he is a very good goalkeeper."

 

Split up with his madrid based girlfriend. Sounds like they have been apart for a while, so the constant rumours he is going to move to be with her are off

He has been immense for us this season.

Seems to be really enjoying playing under Conte. Loved the way he ran up to celebrate with Conte when we scored vs WBA. I can't remember him being that enthusiastic under Jose. 

Sounds silly to say but it's even sillier that it's true but he is largely underrated imo.

I think he's easily the best keeper in the league. He doesn't get the plaudits because he is so amazing a keeper that he makes stuff look basic and elementary, much like Buffon.

De Gea is a great keeper but he is too fond of "camera saves" for my liking, but it's these that get him rave reviews from the casual eyes.

De Gea is the keeper that will launch himself full stretch from a mid-goal standing point and with an out-stretched arm tip the ball over the bar. Courtois in the same situation will quickly shuffle sideways and tip the ball over while standing.

congratulations to thibo this season's golden glove winner

 

Totally deserved, he's been on a whole other lever this season, just like the rest of the team. 

New contract on the way hopefully

Perhaps a little off topic but I am so glad we've got Tibo between the sticks...after just witnessing Joe Hart steal a living as a 'keeper it makes my heart glad that he's our no. 1...

Tibo is as good a keeper in , certainly Europe as there is and I am glad he's playing for us.