Cech v Courtois: Should Jose Mourinho change Chelsea's number one?

Petr Cech

Jose Mourinho has a problem fast-approaching that most managers can only dream of – a straight pick between “the best goalkeeper in the world”, and “the best young goalkeeper in the world”, as he calls them.

The Special One will have to select either Petr Cech or Thibaut Courtois to play for his side next season, with the Chelsea boss confirming that the Belgium No. 1 will be returning to Stamford Bridge from his loan spell at Atletico Madrid after the World Cup.

“When the World Cup in Brazil is over, Courtois will be coming straight back to Stamford Bridge – end of story,” he told Marca.

Though a squad full of talented players is blessing rather than a curse for most coaches with the sheer amount of games a top club is expected to get through, goalkeeper is one position in which it is rare to have the honours split.

Mourinho made a big decision in the 2012-13 season when managing Real Madrid to drop Iker Casillas – who was captain of both the club and Spain at that point – for Diego Lopez.

The decision was arguably correct at the time on technical ability, though it lost him the majority of Spanish support in the dressing room, which would ultimately cost him his job.

Carlo Ancelotti carried this on by playing Lopez in La Liga and Casillas in the cups, but it is a situation that fosters unhappiness within the ranks unless trophies are won.

Mourinho will have to work out the best method for the Blues, for Courtois has repeatedly made it clear that he will be no understudy to Cech: the 21-year-old won the Spanish title with Atleti and reached the Champions League final – beating Chelsea on the way, it should be added – and will not spend a season warming the bench in London.

“Do I want to be number one wherever I play next season? Yes, I think with my age and the performances I had I want to play,” he told reporters. “To be on the bench is not the nicest thing.”

Just ask Iker, Thibaut. With Courtois unlikely to play second-fiddle, various outlets are reporting that Mourinho will listen to offers for 32-year-old Cech this summer to avoid a messy transition.

Looking back on last season, the Czech keeper did little to warrant being dumped by the Stamford Bridge club like a cheap date. In 34 league games, Cech achieved a Squawka Performance Score of 654, beating Courtois’ total of 552 by some way. Both keepers conceded 24 goals, though Courtois played 37 times for Los Rojiblancos as they collected the Liga trophy.

While Courtois is young, he certainly has the talent and temperament to play for any side in the world after last season – the key factor will rest on how long Mourinho sees himself at Chelsea for.

Cech vs Courtois in Squawka’s Comparison Matrix

With Cech into his 32nd year, he could conceivably go on for another 6-8 years, or even longer should he stay fit. Courtois, though, could potentially have 20 years at the top of the game.

Cech made 16 clean sheets in the Premier League last season, while Courtois was part of an Atleti side that made an incredible 20 – no small shakes. With just 24 goals conceded apiece, both would thrive in Chelsea’s side next season, and with Diego Costa and Felipe Luis potentially arriving from Diego Simeone’s side, Courtois would have a couple of Atleti teammates to ease the transition.

The Belgian made 60 saves in the league in 2013-14 compared to Cech’s 52, and at 2.73 saves per goal compared to Cech’s 2.26, he edges the Czech between the sticks in this regard. In the Champions League it is the same, with Courtois managing 2.44 per goal to Cech’s 2.17.

It is interesting to note, however, that while Courtois played 12 times in Europe last term, and Cech only 10, the Chelsea stopper still came out on top with a Performance Score of 275 to 225, only conceding seven goals in 1o games.

In terms of distribution, Courtois is reliable with his long-range kicking; he notched a 63 percent success rate with an average range of 57 metres, while Cech recorded 60% with 38m. In Europe, though, Cech records a success rate of 63% from 64m, while Courtois’ falls t0 51% from 58m.

Cech, it seems, has the edge in playing either a short or long game, and Courtois, while more accurate in domestic football, would do well to get in some kicking practise for tougher opponents in Europe.

One area in which Courtois excels is his handling – the 21-year-old only made four punches in 37 Liga games, but caught the ball 88 times compared to Cech’s 68. In Europe, Cech made 10 punches compared to Courtois’ measly one, yet the Atleti stopper made a huge 34 catches to Cech’s 12.

With a claim success rate of 91%, it’s clear the 1.98m keeper will have no problems as David de Gea did when making the transition to English football.

Both keepers have made errors, with Courtois making a total of four in the league and Europe which resulted in three goals, while Cech made three resulting in three goals – it’s nice to know that they are human, at least, as Mourinho decides between the pair.

Cech vs Courtois in Squawka’s Comparison Matrix

As Mourinho has said in the past, his final decision over the battle between the sticks will most likely result in one world-class goalkeeper leaving Stamford Bridge. Cech has been a loyal servant to Chelsea since his move from Rennes in 2004, making 326 appearances for the club, and under any other circumstances, would certainly be staying.

The problem is, however, is that Chelsea can simply not allow a talent such as Courtois to leave for a rival club. The question is not whether Cech should stay at the club; it is whether he can stay. It is truly rare when the complete package comes along, and the Blues have it in the 21-year-old Courtois: Cech has done nothing wrong, but as with the best of us, time is not on his side.

It would therefore be no surprise for Mourinho to once again display the ruthless champion within and dispense with a trusted player in order to turn his Chelsea side into a team to be feared for years to come. Watch out England – Thibaut is coming.