4 Goalkeepers Who Can Replace Thibaut Courtois At Chelsea

Chelsea have some serious problems on their hand, with two of heir biggest players on the verge of leaving the club this summer.

Both Thibaut Courtois and Eden Hazard have clearly expressed their desire to leave the Blues this summer. While each player has his own reasons, the impact that their departure can have on Chelsea's fortunes next season is immense.

It would be no understatement to say that the new manager, Maurizio Sarri, has some serious thinking to do in terms of replacing this duo.

For years now, Courtois has been one of the best goalkeepers in Europe.

After having an impressive World Cup campaign with Belgium, in which he bagged the Golden Glove Award, his market value has risen considerably, which is why it might just be the right time for Chelsea to offload their star-man.

Courtois has just one-year left on his Chelsea contract and thus, any sum in excess of £35 million should be good enough for the Blues to let go of him.

He signed for Chelsea in 2011 for just £8 million. He was then loaned out to Atletico Madrid for three-seasons and brought back to Chelsea in 2014. For the past three seasons, he has been a loyal servant to the club. Without his resilience in goal, Chelsea may not have won their last two Premier League titles.

This is not the first transfer window in which Courtois has been linked with a move away from the club. He was in a very similar situation last year.

However, never has he been so close to a move away from Stamford Bridge. If one is to believe the numerous reports coming out today, Real Madrid have reached an agreement deal to sign Courtois from Chelsea. The reported transfer fee of around £35 million.

The move will see Courtois earn £11.5 million a year- much more than the £7.2 million that he currently earns in the Premier League.

With only weeks left for the 2018-2019 Premier League season to begin, Chelsea have some serious work to do in the transfer market.

Chelsea's backup keeper, Willy Caballero, is just not good enough to start the season between the poles.

The Blues need a quality goal-keeper and they need one fast. Surely, with Allison's move to Liverpool almost confirmed, finding a goalkeeper of Courtois' class is going to be difficult for the 2017 champions.

The four goalkeepers who have the potential to fill in for Courtois's absence at Chelsea are as follows.

#4 Petr Cech (Arsenal)

Will the veteran GK move back to Chelsea?

Through the years, Chelsea and Petr Cech have mutual respect and love for one another. The fans love him and he loves the club.

In 2014, Cech left Chelsea after 11 years to join Arsenal Football Club. One of the biggest reasons why he left the club back then was Courtois. After being Chelsea's Number 1 choice for years, he found it difficult to play second-fiddle to the Belgian.

With Bernd Leno arriving at Arsenal, Cech may just have to play second-fiddle again, this time with the Gunners.

The veteran GK is 36 years old now and is definitely in the twilight of his career now. Last season, he made 34 appearances for the North London club, adding just eight clean sheets to his name. He saves an avg. of 2.29 shots per game, a decent statistic in comparison to the other top keepers in the world.

Cech has the potential to be the immediate replacement for Courtois. On account of his age, he will available for a relatively modest sum, which will allow manager Maurizio Sarri to invest his transfer finances in filling up other crucial positions.

#3 Kasper Schmeichel (Leicester City)

Kasper Schmeichel had a terrific WC campaign

For his entire life, Kasper Schmeichel has had the pressure of being compared to his father's legendary status. While his career didn't really hit-off at Manchester City, his move to Leicester City in 2011 has seen him fulfil his potential quietly but surely.

Schmeichel had a very impressive World Cup and was one of Denmark's standout performers in the tournament.

He has a commanding presence in goal and his ball distribution skills are absolutely sublime. Last season, in 33 appearances, he gathered eight clean sheets to his name. Statistically, he saves 2.45 goals per game- a number that puts him up there with some of the best goalkeepers in the world.

He just turned 31 last year and according to many experts, goalkeepers hit their prime in their 30s. Hence, one can safely assume that Schmeichel's best years are still ahead of him.

In order to prise him away from Leicester, though, Chelsea will have to cough up a sum between £15- £20 million. It does look like a reasonable enough investment for Blues.

#2 Jasper Cillessen (Barcelona)

Jasper Cillessen is not the first choice keeper at Barcelona

In 2016, Barcelona signed Jasper Cillessen from Ajax as a direct replacement for their out-going goalkeeper, Claudio Bravo.

However, in the subsequent two seasons, the Dutchman made a total of just 21 appearances for the Catalan club. Surely, that's not enough game-time for a player of his calibre.

Much to Cillessens' frustration, Marc Andre ter-Stegen became Barcelona's first choice goalkeeper after Bravo's departure.

While Ter-Stegen started in all the La Liga and Champions League games, Cillessen started in the domestic competitions.

At 29 years of age, Cillessen must be on the look-out for regular first-team football next season. Earlier in the transfer window, he was being linked with a move to Liverpool and now that the Reds are close to signing Alisson, it's time for Chelsea to step in for the Barca GK.

At Ajax, Cillessen won the player of the season award for two consecutive years. Available for approximately £30 million, he would be a good player for Chelsea to bring in at this stage.

#1 Jan Oblak (Atletico Madrid)

Oblak definitely is amongst the top two goalkeepers in the world right now

Jan Oblak is the perfect replacement for Courtois. He is young, accomplished and consistent.

Ironically, Atletico Madrid signed him to replace Courtois in 2014. Since his move to the club, Oblak is been up there with some of the best goalkeepers in the world.

He is undoubtedly one of the stars at Atletico Madrid. Last year, in 34 appearances, he collected 21 clean sheets to his name. Two crucial statistics that embody his efficiency between the posts are:

Avg. saves per game-2.41

Avg. goals per save- 4.56

Just 25 years old, the Slovenian GK has the world at his feet. Atletico Madrid value his services and have made it clear that they do not want to let him go.

It would take a gigantic bid of around £75-£80 million to get the La Liga club to even consider selling their star player. However, earlier in the transfer window, Atletico signed an able backup for Oblak in Betis keeper, Antonia Adan.

That move might open the door slightly for Chelsea to attempt a swoop for the accomplished goalkeeper.