Who is Chelsea's best goalkeeper?
2014-08-16 07:48
London - Jose Mourinho knows he faces a tough job
keeping both Petr Cech and Thibaut Courtois at
Chelsea when he finally decides which will be the
club's No 1 goalkeeper.
On Friday, Mourinho described the pair as two of
the best three goalkeepers in the world and
revealed he has yet to announce his line-up for the
opening English Premier League game at newly-
promoted Burnley on Monday.
Cech, 32, has been the established first choice for
the last 10 years but finds himself under pressure
from Courtois, 22, who is back at Stamford Bridge
after spending the last three years on loan at
Atletico Madrid.
Also Read: Goalkeeping edge makes us
favourites - Mourinho
Mourinho accepts it will be hard to keep both
players happy throughout the campaign - and both
have been linked with moves away if they miss out
on the top job.
The Chelsea manager insists the club has yet to
receive an approach for Cech or Courtois but
accepts that situation could change.
But he said: "In this moment I don't want to think
about it. There is not an offer, so not a possibility.
"I'm working with them and I told them as a group
today, everyone of my players in the squad I'm
happy to have them.
"I'm not waiting for anything. It's not good to
analyse something that isn't on the table. Every
manager in the world would like to have Courtois
and Cech."
And referring to the possibility there could be
more comings and goings during the final weeks of
the transfer market, Mourinho said: "The market is
open and experience says we never can say what
will happen.
"You never know if a player has a different reaction
or opinion in this last part of the month or if any
club tries to do something with our players."
The manager is pleased, though, to be confronted
with the problem of choosing between two top
'keepers.
Also Read: Mourinho hails 'bargain buy' Costa
He added: "The only thing I can say is in this
moment they are working well and hard and we are
so happy to have them both.
"I prefer to analyse this in that perspective. During
the season if one is definitely my first choice I have
to support and stimulate the other one.
"I can't have one of these incredible goalkeepers on
the bench three or four months waiting for a
Capital One Cup game.
"I have to stimulate the competition and I have to
praise some top goalkeeper which is not my first
choice.
"I can understand for top goalkeepers that could
play in every club in the world, in here, one of
them is going to be on the bench. It's a difficult
situation.
"The best way for me to work is to think
pragmatically, in a cold way, forget a little bit, try to
hide the emotions around these situations and
decide what I think is the best for the team."
Also Read: Cesc is Chelsea's new playmaker
Mourinho played down his side's chances of being
crowned champions throughout last season
following his return to the club.
This time around he is more confident, having
recruited Diego Costa, Cesc Fabregas, Didier Drogba
and Filipe Luis.
But the manager refused to install Chelsea as
favourites, insisting the club's main challengers
have also strengthened well this summer.
He said: "Last season we did not feel as a title
contender but we finished very close to the title.
"We were not feeling one of the top favourites for
the Champions League and we played the semi-
final. We did well.
"This season we bought some key players after our
analysis of last season and our squad.
"We believe - more than believe we are already
feeling that these new players brought the squad
and the team into another dimension.
"If you expect me to say we're going to win the
Premier League I can't say that. I have to respect
this competition. It is of the country championships
the only one which has more than two title
contenders."
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