'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,/9j/2wBDAAYEBQYFBAYGBQYHBwYIChAKCgkJChQODwwQFxQYGBcUFhYaHSUfGhsjHBYWICwgIyYnKSopGR8tMC0oMCUoKSj/2wBDAQcHBwoIChMKChMoGhYaKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCj/wgARCAAKAAoDASIAAhEBAxEB/8QAFgABAQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABAUH/9oACAEBAAAAAJCN8T//xAAUAQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAF/9oACAECEAAAAB//xAAUAQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAC/9oACAEDEAAAAF//xAAjEAACAQMEAQUAAAAAAAAAAAABAwIEBREABhIhFDEyQVTD/9oACAEBAAE/ANtWWp3Leax84UQtyVwavm6CotZP4zIgyiOGdM2FfCyXF1lMc/dWP214yCt4KFYwyXsHr33pNuoZJWZUdMSYjJKo6//EABkRAAEFAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABIAFSKh4f/aAAgBAgEBPwB0GQXi/8QAFREBAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAQD/2gAIAQMBAT8AVv/Z'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
2. Marko Marin
Marko Marin of Chelsea in action during the UEFA Europa League match between AC Sparta Praha and Chelsea on February 14, 2013 in Prague, Czech Republic. (Photo by Scott Heavey/Getty Images)
Trending
Parent Club: Chelsea
Loaned to: Sevilla FC
The favourite of many a gamer in the FIFA gaming series, this German of Serbian descent has come in for high praise from the likes of Joachim Low, and has often been lauded for his pace and technical ability.
Playing as a winger and attacking midfielder, he rose to prominence while plying his trade at Werder Bremen. His performances caught the eye of many clubs, but it was the West London club who secured his signature in 2012.
He made his debut for Chelsea later that season, but the surfeit of attacking talent that Chelsea had at their disposal limited his appearances. His move to Sevilla should vitalize his career though, as the Andalusian club has lost much of its creativity and goal scoring ability thanks to the departures of Jesus Navas and Negredo. A few eye catching performances in La Liga may prompt a return to Chelsea for Marin.
1. Thibaut Courtois
Thibaut Courtois, goalkeeper of Belgium in action during the international friendly match between Belgium and France at the King Baudouin Stadium on August 14, 2013 in Brussels, Belgium. (Photo by John Berry/Getty Images)
Parent Club: Chelsea
Loaned to: Atletico Madrid
One of the best young goalkeepers in Europe at this point, the progression of Courtois’s career has been rapid to say the least.
The young Belgian keeper rose to prominence while at Racing Genk, where he kept 14 clean sheets and let in only 32 goals in 40 games. He signed for Chelsea in 2011 on a five-year deal, and has spent his subsequent seasons on loan at Atletico Madrid. Replacing David de Gea isn’t an easy task, but the youngster has risen to the challenge with aplomb.
In his three seasons with Atletico, he has won the Copa Del Rey, the Europa League and the UEFA Super Cup. His outstanding agility and shot-stopping ability have earned him praise from all quarters, including Jose Mourinho and Petr Cech. His performance in last season’s Copa Del Rey final earned him the man of the match award.
With Cech growing older, it is only a matter of time before we see Courtois replace him as Chelsea’s number one. At 21 years of age, he has an extremely promising, if not legendary, career ahead of him. With Mignolet already taking on the mantle of Liverpool’s new number one, it will be interesting to see these two Belgian goalkeepers plying their trade in the EPL.
