He's the most-wanted keeper in the Premier League... without playing a game! Atletico's on-loan Chelsea stopper Courtois is lighting up La Liga (and Barca want him for £30m!)

He’s one of the most sought-after players in the Premier League, yet few fans in England have ever seen him play.

Chelsea keeper Thibaut Courtois is the subject of £30million interest from Barcelona, who want him to replace Victor Valdes as their No 1 next season.
The Belgian stopper signed for the London club in 2011, but has yet to play a match and is instead in the beginning stages of his third season on loan at Atletico Madrid.

No 1: Courtois of Belgium celebrates their second goal in the 2-0 win over Scotland

In that time, interest in Courtois has rocketed with many tipping him as the best young keeper in Europe.


At just 21, he is Belgium’s regular choice  over Liverpool’s Simon Mignolet and in consistently sparkling form in a spell which has seen Atletico become Spain’s undisputed ‘third’ club.

So if he’s that good, why can’t he get in Chelsea’s side?

Two words: Petr Cech. The Blues stalwart is a model of consistency and brilliance for Chelsea, and has been since his arrival nine years ago. 

The Czech Republic man had a downturn in form following his fractured skull at Reading in 2006, but is now back to best to resume his title as arguably the best keeper in the Premier League.

There’s no reason to disrupt this for Chelsea. Especially when it gets to the business end of the season, the Blues need a consistent keeper in form, and Cech’s experience wins the day.

No shift: Cech is a model of consistency for Chelsea, and won't be budged

Rotating them each game will do nothing but get them out of rhythm, and it’s not exactly like midfielders or strikers who can be rotated at will and through substitutions - the whole team needs a keeper they can count on to be at the top of his game.

It’s also better for Courtois. Playing every week for one of the better teams in Europe, picking up the Europa League and Copa del Rey trophies is far more beneficial than sitting on the bench and being wheeled out for Carling Cup ties.

Of course he’s better than the Blues’ reserve keepers throughout his time on Chelsea’s books - though Mark Schwarzer is a marked improvement on Ross Turnbull and Hilario - but it will pay off for Chelsea in the long term?

Loan spell: Courtois is spending his third consecutive season on loan at Atletico Madrid

But is he worth £30million?

If Barcelona are willing to pay that, he is. Courtois has time in abundance on his side, and if he keeps up the form he has shown for Atletico he could tie up any potential buyer’s goalkeeping position for more then ten years.

The Catalan giants will be looking to replace the long-standing Valdes next summer, with Napoli’s on-loan Liverpool stopper Pepe Reina originally the favourite to get the role.
Barca fans may well see Reina as a stop-gap, while Courtois would represent the capture of who many reckon - particularly in light of Iker Casillas being rotated in and out of the Real Madrid side - to be the best keeper in La Liga.

The price will also be dictated by Chelsea. The Stamford Bridge heirarchy know what they have in the £7million purchase from Genk, and despite the undoubted big profit would not let him walk to a potential Champions League rival lightly.

Big players: Courtois (back row, far left) is part of a golden generation in Belgium's national team

Price tag: Courtois, valued at £30m, dives for the ball during a training session in Brussels last week

Will we ever see him take Cech’s place?

Courtois certainly thinks so. After insisting he chose to return to Atletico rather than make a debut season at Stamford Bridge or go out on loan to a Premier League side, the Belgian stopper said: ‘I was not afraid of fighting for a spot with Petr Cech. I have no fear of anyone, I believe in my qualities.

‘I know that Jose Mourinho doesn’t let a player’s status affect his selection decisions.’
That much is certainly true. Blues boss Mourinho caused an almighty split in the Real Madrid dressing room last season by benching club goalkeeping legend Iker Casillas in favour of Diego Lopez.

The Portguese also watched Courtois keep out his side in last season’s Copa del Rey final, prompting his future manager to heap praise on the 21-year-old, saying: ‘He is a fantastic young goalkeeper with great potential.’

Competition: Courtois has been watched by Mourinho several times, and may let him challenge Cech's place