Date: 16th March 2018 at 8:39pm
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John Carpenter discusses why the Blues must stick with the Belgian goalie. 

Wednesday evening at Thibaut Courtois managed to do something impressive – he managed to unite the footballing world in acknowledging he had a mare of a match against Barcelona as they ran out 3-0 winners winning 4-1 on aggregate thus knocking Chelsea out of the Champions League. Upon the final whistle, abuse poured out from Chelsea fans on Twitter aimed at one man – Courtois. This is in his defence.

In July 2011 Courtois joined from Belgium side Genk for a fee just over £6 million. The transfer fee was covered through loan fees from Atletico Madrid where Courtois grew and developed into one of the best young goalkeepers not only in Europe but the world. He helped them claim the Copa Del Rey, La Liga and was their goalkeeper as they knocked Chelsea out in the Champions League before losing to Real Madrid in the final. When it was time for Courtois to return to the club, he wanted assurances from Chelsea that he would be first choice, Mourinho gave him the assurances he wanted.

With Cech sidelined to the bench, Courtois helped guide Chelsea to the Premiership under Jose Mourinho, last season Courtois helped Chelsea to the league title under current manager Antonio Conte. A player who has won 3 league titles in a relatively short time is not a bad goalkeeper. Simeone, Mourinho and Conte are not managers to stick by a bad player and not one to be overly sympathetic to one who is lacking form.

Courtois – like every goalkeeper – has areas of weakness or indeed parts of their game which they can improve. Joe Hart has weak wrists and is a poor shot-stopper from distance and at his near post. David De Gea, regarded by many as the best goalkeeper in the world, yet few are talking about his apparent weakness at saving shots to the near post as demonstrated against Chelsea when he failed to keep out Willian. Hugo Lloris at Spurs struggles the same. So, he’s not alone, and to think to replace him with anyone would eliminate any errors or weaknesses from our keeper going forward is daft. Ultimately, the trouble for a goalkeeper is if they make a mistake, inevitably it will lead to a goal.

Courtois after the match in fairness to him stood up and took responsibility for his mistakes. He explained for the first goal that he didn’t expect Messi to shoot – I’m sorry Thibaut but always expect the unexpected from the best player in the world. Clearly not in the correct position and unable to react to Messi’s shot, the ball bounced off his right leg into the goal, it was a terrible goalkeeping error and one to give him nightmares for the next few weeks I’m sure. The second of Lionel Messi’s goals I’m more forgiving of. A great striker, shooting from an angle will look to target the ball through the keeper’s legs, it’s a harder reflex save to make and a less suspecting area to hit the ball, Messi has done this to countless keepers before, he’s even done it to Courtois in La Liga before. Courtois is an excellent shot stopper, so I am giving him the benefit of the doubt for Dembele’s goal, a powerful right-footed shot with Courtois getting a hand to but unable to tip it over the bar. So, when you reflect on the night, you could argue he was truly at fault for one goal and two good finishes.

What I can’t defend or even begin to understand, however, is some of the absolute nonsense that was spotted by some people online last night. I saw suggestions he should keep his legs closed. I’m sorry but do these people not understand how fundamental physics work? You cannot save with your legs closed. Try to spring off a leg to dive to one side or the other with your legs apart, then try and do it with your legs closed. Impossible. I really do think people who suggest such things should watch and comment on something else. Curling for example. He’s still young. He’s still an excellent goalkeeper, and we will still do well to keep him.

I’m guilty of reacting post-match too hastily. I did on Wednesday night. I suggested he should sign the contract extension offer on the table before it’s taken away. So, I say this to myself and everyone, firstly, if you don’t understand how basic physics work, don’t comment. Secondly, support your players, they don’t need bile sent their way whether they make a mistake or not. We are one big blue family. Lastly, yes, I appreciate his comments at times to the press seemingly looking for a move away have been infuriating at times, but a move to Madrid would seemingly be purely a family-based decision, we should appreciate having a goalkeeper of his quality. If one match dims your view on him, then shame on you.

Courtois – You have been defended.

And another thing.

Is it time to stop complaining about it only being foreigners who dive in our game? We’ve seen it multiple times with Dele Ali and Thursday night we saw Danny Welbeck fall down looking for a penalty, his collapse to the floor looked like an audition to play someone being shot in a war movie – pathetic. Every team has at least one player who does it. Time to stop being naive here, it’s now in the English DNA of playing too.

Written by John Carpenter – @jontopea

 

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