3 potential replacements for Thibaut Courtois at Chelsea

Thibaut Courtois is, without a doubt, one of the best goalkeepers in the world. He has been simply brilliant for both his club, Chelsea and his country, Belgium. He showcased his scintillating form for Chelsea during the course of the Premier League season, and then for his national side Belgium in the 2018 World Cup in Russia, where his skills not only guided Belgium to their best ever finish at a World Cup, but also made him win the 'Best Goalkeeper of the Tournament' Award.

The Chelsea goalkeeper has been a long-time target for top European clubs, especially, the Spanish giants, Real Madrid. According to the reports, there is a huge possibility that he will be heading to Real Madrid this summer.

If the deal comes through, then let’s take a look at the five potential replacements for Thibaut Courtois at the Stamford Bridge.

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#3) Gianluigi Donnarumma

Gianluigi Donnarumma

Gianluigi Donnarumma is an Italian professional footballer, who plays as a goalkeeper for Serie A club AC Milan and the Italian national team. He began his career with Milan in 2015, becoming the second-youngest keeper ever to debut in Serie A, aged 16 years and 242 days.

He immediately broke into the the starting line-up, earning a reputation as one of the most promising young goalkeepers in the world. He became the youngest goalkeeper ever to appear for Italy, aged just 17 years and 189 days.

Gianluigi Donnarumma is considered one of Italy's most exciting prospects, and one of the most promising young footballers of his generation. Donnarumma is also widely regarded as the successor to Gianluigi Buffon. Considering that he is still a teenager, his physical strength, technical abilities, mental composure, and decision making are way beyond his age.

At 19, he is already an established international player for Italy. It was a pity that he wasn't able to showcase his talent on the biggest stage -- the World Cup 2018, as Italy failed to qualify for the tournament. But if Chelsea are looking to find a replacement for Thibaut Courtois, then Gianluigi Donnaruma is definitely right up there, when it comes to replacing someone of the calibre of Courtois.

#2) Jack Butland

Jack Butland

Jack Butland is an English professional footballer, who plays as a goalkeeper for Stoke City and the English national team.

Butland was perhaps the brightest spot in Stoke City's otherwise disappointing season, which saw them being relegated from the Premier League. He tried his best to help his side retain the Premier League status, but unfortunately all his efforts went in vain.

He is a good, consistent goalkeeper and provides stability to the defence of any team his plays in. Since he has the experience of playing in the Premier League, he can definitely be someone who Chelsea can look to bring to Stamford Bridge, if Thibaut Courtois leaves for Real Madrid.

#1) Jan Oblak

Jan Oblak

Jan Oblak is a Slovenian professional footballer, who plays for Spanish club Atletico Madrid and the Slovenian national team as a goalkeeper.

He moved to Atletico Madrid for a fee of €16 million, becoming La Liga's most expensive goalkeeper of all time. In 2015-2016, he won the Ricardo Zamora Trophy for the best goalkeeper, conceding an all-time record low of 18 goals. He won the award again in the following two seasons.

His ability to organize his defence, his reading of the game, his insane reflexes, his calm and composed nature under pressure should make him the front runner to replace a quality goalkeeper like Thibaut Courtois at the Stamford Bridge.