8 potential replacements for Thibaut Courtois at Chelsea

Although Chelsea ended their 2017-18 season on a high note by clinching the FA Cup trophy, on balance it was a substandard season for The Pensioners.

The club finished the Premier League on the fifth place, which also means that they won't be playing in Europe's top flight next season as they missed out on Champions League football. Antonio Conte's side were also particularly underwhelming in the Champions League, losing out to Barcelona.

Consequently, The Blues are making massive changes in the ongoing transfer window. Antonio Conte has been shown the door, Maurizio Sarri has taken up the managerial position and Jorginho has been signed for €57m.

While all this transfer activity has taken place, many other rumours with regard to Chelsea have also been making the rounds in recent times.

And the club who is giving The Pensioners a hard time is none other than the 13-time Champions League winner -- Real Madrid. Los Blancos are in intense pursuit of Chelsea's two star players -- Eden Hazard and Thibaut Courtois.

In the past few hours, reports have emerged from reliable sources that suggest that both the parties have reached a £31 million deal for Thibaut Courtois. If the sensational move is materialized, Chelsea will undoubtedly be dealt a major blow ahead of the 2018-19 season.

While it would be difficult to fill the void left by the World Cup Golden Glove winner, these are eight goalkeepers Chelsea could consider.

---

#8 Jan Oblak

Can the Slovenian fill the massive boots of Courtois at Chelsea?

Over the course of the past few years, Jan Oblak has merchandised himself as one of the best shot-stoppers in the world football by virtue of his consistent performances for Atletico Madrid.

The Slovenian was exceptionally impressive for Los Colchoneros in the recently-concluded season where he inspired the club to their third Europa League title and a commendable second-placed finish in La Liga, ahead of Real Madrid.

In the Primera División, he made 82 saves last season having kept 21 clean sheets with a pass accuracy of 49%. The 25-year-old was also linked with Chelsea back in April 2018, and might agree on a move to Stamford Bridge after the Courtois' transfer.

#7 Keylor Navas

Keylor Navas will find playing minutes hard to come by following the arrival of Courtois

Needless to say, Keylor Navas who is currently Real Madrid's first-choice goalkeeper will lose out on his coveted position in the squad once the Thibaut Courtois' transfer is announced. The 31-year-old will fall down the pecking order under Julen Lopetegui in all likelihood.

What Real Madrid probably don't want to see is the return to the latter years of Iker Casillas' spell with the club, when the Spaniard locked horns over the goalkeeping berth with Diego Lopez that created a great rift across Jose Mourinho's dugout and dressing room.

Consequently, Los Blancos might want to part ways with the Costa Rican faithful at least temporarily (on loan). And the ideal club for such a switch will be Chelsea.

A deal that suits both the parties to a T!

#6 Kevin Trapp

No longer the first-choice keeper for Paris Saint-Germain?

In the wake of the arrival of Gianluigi Buffon and the presence of Alphonse Areola, Kevin Trapp will find game time hard to come by under PSG's new manager -- Thomas Tuchel. As a result, both the club and the player is seeking a move away from Parc des Princes.

The under use of the German does not evince his undeniable potential between the sticks. The former Eintracht Frankfurt star boasts excellent reflexes and also exudes great confidence when saving penalties.

If the out-of-favour Trapp is determined to reignite his anaemic career and live up to his billing, he will be better off leaving the French giants and moving to a new club, with Chelsea being a perfect destination as things stand presently.

#5 Gianluigi Donnarumma

The Italian prodigy

In recent years, Gianluigi Donnarumma has established himself as one of the most exciting prospects in world football. Despite being only 19 years old, the Italian goalkeeper has surpassed expectations like no other, courtesy of his sterling showings for both AC Milan and Italy's national team.

Widely regarded to be the heir to Gianluigi Buffon, Donnarumma plays with the calm of a grizzled ol' veteran, enabled by his physical strength, mental composure and decision making.

With AC Milan looking to sell the 19-year-old to tackle the club's financial problems, Chelsea are in pole position to procure the promising shot-stopper.

#4 Jack Butland

Jack Butland is expected to move this summer in view of Stoke City's relegation

Jordan Pickford might be considered the most gifted English goalkeeper owing to his exploits in Russia, but Jack Butland is another Englishman who could give Pickford a good run for his money when it comes to the fancied status.

The 25-year-old has evidenced himself as a talented goalkeeper as a consequence of his heroics for Stoke City in the 2017-18 season.

Butland made 135 saves last season, which was the most among the goalkeepers who played in the Premier League. He also kept six league clean sheets and was at fault individually for just one of the goals he let in.

Accordingly, he has emerged as a hot property with Chelsea eyeing him as a potential replacement for Thibaut Courtois. With Stoke City relegated from Premier League, The Pensioners will not find it hard to land the erstwhile Birmingham City player.

#3 Alisson Becker

Alisson is one of the most in-demand players in the ongoing transfer window

Arguably the most in-demand goalkeeper across Europe in the ongoing transfer window, Alisson is not short of suitors who are keeping close tabs on the Brazilian. One club who has been linked with the 25-year-old for a long time has been The Blues who are now expected to scoop him up as an alternative to Courtois.

Alisson was an instrumental figure in Roma's road to Champions League semi-final which saw him catch the eye of several high-profile clubs. In FIFA World Cup 2018, he was given the green light ahead of Ederson to man the posts for the national team.

Alisson has 20 clean sheets from 45 appearances last season, conceding less than one goal per game. He is an extraordinary stopper with 3.40 saves per goal and 134 saves last season alone which is the best in Europe.

#2 Kasper Schmeichel

Kasper Schmeichel was phenomenal at the World Cup

By virtue of his feat in Russia for the Denmark national team, Schmeichel has made himself one of the most sought-after goalkeepers with many top-notch clubs eyeing up a swoop for the Danish international.

Denmark's number one had a stellar World Cup, as he only conceded two goals while he saved three penalties in his last game against Croatia. That stellar performance impressed many with a few even calling him, "God amongst men".

The Leicester City man is another name who has entered the picture as a likely replacement for Thibaut Courtois in case the 26-year-old decides against staying at Stamford Bridge.

#1 Petr Čech

Will Cech make a return to his former club?

In the light of Thibaut Courtois' transfer talk, the player who has come to the fore as a potential replacement for the Belgian is the one-time Chelsea goalkeeper -- Petr Cech, much to everyone's surprise.

As per reports, Chelsea are interested in re-signing their lost asset. Honestly, this seems like a deal that is in the offing, thanks to Bernd Leno's arrival at the Emirates Stadium and Cech's below-par 2017-18 season.

Consequently, the Czech would happily accept a move to his former club, where he made a name for himself as a world-class goalkeeper, appearing in over 300 Premier League matches for The Blues.