I actually think Courtois will benefit more from having a year on loan in the Premier League first, that's if i was gaffer anyway. Agree with you that we cannot lose the lad, he has all the attributes to be as good as Cech in his prime which would set us up nicely for the next 10 years! I actually think Petr may stay as 2nd choice, he has a great affiliation with the club and want better man to work closely with for Courtois than Cech?
Seen a lot of him watching Atletico this year, really little point in a loan at a Prem Club, he really is that good. What he needs is to come into settled defence whenever he arrives at Chelsea. That makes a big difference. De Gea didn't have that for the first season and the opening half of this season, made his development much trickier.
Seen a lot of him watching Atletico this year, really little point in a loan at a Prem Club, he really is that good. What he needs is to come into settled defence whenever he arrives at Chelsea. That makes a big difference. De Gea didn't have that for the first season and the opening half of this season, made his development much trickier.
30 year old goalkeeper is close to retirement and needs immidiate replacement after last, final year. Only at Chelsea.
De Gea was also that good, but his opening months left a little to be desired. I think Carl's idea was a decent one actually. A year in the Prem could do him a world of good.
Who said he is close to retirement?
Yeah, but aerial duels also aren't happening in the vacuum, the defenders still have a job to do when goalkeeper comes out to collect a cross. I'd imagine DDG success rate in the air goes up when you can field Vidic who can bully the attackers from trying to challenge the ball.
Yeah, but aerial duels also aren't happening in the vacuum, the defenders still have a job to do when goalkeeper comes out to collect a cross. I'd imagine DDG success rate in the air goes up when you can field Vidic who can bully the attackers from trying to challenge the ball.
Look at the lad. He's huge. I doubt he will need more then few games to adapt. De Gea would fall over after soft breeze during his first few months in PL.
Saying that he needs to go after last final, season, implies that he is past it, yes?
De Gea was also that good, but his opening months left a little to be desired. I think Carl's idea was a decent one actually. A year in the Prem could do him a world of good.
These GKs are good enough to catch simplest of crosses that are unchallenged. What stats won't reveal is how keeper had dealt with crosses when attackers, defenders attack the ball and he is under pressure.
De Gea has improved a lot in that dept. His shot stopping is up there with the best and his distribution was always his strength. Not sure who is THE BEST in the world but I won't trade him for any GK in the world (Maybe except Neuer but meh not even him).
Btw it was awful from commentators in the last few games. He made absolutely no mistake so they came up with "He caught it low" bs *facepalm* and "he should have came out to collect cross" for even the crosses that were flatter and quicker.
I agree, I wouldn't swap De Gea for anyone. I was well chuffed when we went for him and I'm glad SAF has stuck with him through a tricky start. That said, Courtois looks like he's going to be one **** of a 'keeper also, and with Joe Hart as well, we really are blessed with some great goalkeepers in the premier league.
But De Gea was also further hampered by his lack of English, and lack of settled defence.
I actually think Courtois will benefit more from having a year on loan in the Premier League first, that's if i was gaffer anyway.
I don't believe that meant he got bullied constantly by opposition players, though. Does Thibaut know English? Not sure.
Stan showing his knowledge once again.......
[video=youtube;9h957cdSq4E]http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=9h957cdSq4E[/video]
Internet decided not to load the last 2 pages, sigh.
"Multi-lingual, Courtois picked up Spanish quickly and a move to Barcelona would no doubt see him pick up the La Masia style and Barcelona blueprint as quickly as he learns languages—he speaks Flemish, French, English, Spanish and German at varying levels."
I don't believe that meant he got bullied constantly by opposition players, though. Does Thibaut know English? Not sure.
I agree, I wouldn't swap De Gea for anyone. I was well chuffed when we went for him and I'm glad SAF has stuck with him through a tricky start. That said, Courtois looks like he's going to be one **** of a 'keeper also, and with Joe Hart as well, we really are blessed with some great goalkeepers in the premier league.
I don't believe that meant he got bullied constantly by opposition players, though. Does Thibaut know English? Not sure.
Seen from De Gea how vital experience is in the league for keepers, especially with their slight builds.
Can see him staying in Madrid though, he seems to like it doesn't he?