Mourinho - Renewal or bench for Courtois

Mourinho is set to play hardball with Chelsea youngster Thibaut Courtois according to reports in the Spanish newspaper Marca.

The twenty one year old custodian is in danger of being relegated to the bench for the remainder of his contract at Chelsea if he does not pen a deal which is set to keep him at Stamford Bridge till 2019.

The report suggests Mourinho is intent on making the Belgian international the understudy to Chelsea number one Petr Cech even though he is understood to be very happy on loan at Atletico Madrid.

His current contract ends in 2016 and with Petr Cech going strong at the Bridge, the Blues are wanting to extend his contract till 2019 trying to ward off interests from Spanish giants Barcelona.

The €25 million rated goalie is on loan in his third consecutive year at Atletico Madrid after being purchased by Chelsea from Genk in July 2011.

With Victor Valdes confirming he will no longer stay after his contract ends, Barcelona are forced to look for a replacement and the belgian goalkeeper seems to be their top priority.