Thibaut Courtois must win back Chelsea fans with performances to truly replace Petr Cech

Simon Johnson23 September 2016

Of all the challenges Chelsea keeper Thibaut Courtois will face at Arsenal tomorrow, the toughest may be regaining the trust of the fans in the away end.

The Belgium international couldn’t have picked a worse week to give an interview in Spain admitting that he intends to move back to La Liga one day, having enjoyed three years on loan at Atletico Madrid between 2011-14.

Petr Cech, the man he replaced as Chelsea No1 at Stamford Bridge, will stand in the Arsenal goal and during his 11 years in west London, he didn’t flirt publicly with other clubs. Even in the 2014-15 season when he suffered the disappointment of being demoted behind Courtois, the Czech international maintained a dignified silence. It was always going to be a very tough challenge for anyone to replace Cech in the affections of Chelsea supporters.

Such is the 34-year-old’s legacy, making the move to rivals Arsenal didn’t put the love affair at risk. Instead, many of the Chelsea faithful still question whether the club made the right decision.

However, it shouldn’t be forgotten that Courtois is still only 24 and like any young man, can make mistakes when it comes to the media.

Only last month, he spoke passionately about his commitment to Chelsea and frustration that articles printed abroad had been misconstrued in England to suggest otherwise.

Chelsea have kept just two clean sheets in their last 25 competitive games and while poor defending has been a major factor, Courtois’s form has come under scrutiny.

Earlier this month it was his rash challenge that gifted Swansea a penalty, and subsequently an equaliser, in their 2-2 draw.

To his credit, Courtois concedes that the past year hasn’t gone as well as he would have hoped at the club.

But he reveals the knee problem that kept him out for three months just after the start of last season has played a major part. As he explained to Standard Sport: “A knee injury is not something you can come back from easily. It’s hard to come back at the same level, you need some time.

“The rhythm we play with in the Premier League or any major competition is very high and if you’re out for three months, it’s very difficult. That shouldn’t be underestimated.

Arsene Wenger's record against Chelsea managers

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“When I came back last season, the team was not doing well either and obviously it is hard to find the same rhythm straight away.

“We weren’t getting the same outcomes as when we were champions the year before. But after a while, including the European Championships with Belgium in the summer, I proved that I am in top form.

“When I was injured, I couldn’t work on my passing ability, but now with the new manager (Antonio Conte) I have been doing that and that part of the game has been going well for me as well. I feel good now.”

Courtois hasn’t been helped by having to play behind a number of centre-half combinations.

Inevitably, with three different coaches in charge over the last nine months, there have been a lot of changes.

Form and fitness have also played a part in why John Terry, Gary Cahill, Kurt Zouma, Branislav Ivanovic and recent signing David Luiz have all played there at some point.

Developing a consistent understanding between the keeper and the centre-backs is vital, yet the personnel has been rotated on a regular basis. With Terry hoping to prove he is match fit following an ankle injury, Conte will have a big decision to make.

Cahill and Luiz have been paired together in his absence for the last two games and Chelsea conceded four soft goals from a defensive point of view.

It will still be a major decision to leave one of them out, although Terry’s organisational skills are surely a must against Arsenal’s improving attack.

Given both sides have already shown some deficiencies, this game has not been billed as one between two major title contenders, as in seasons gone by.

Still, Courtois, who was appreciated by the club’s fanbase for his role in Chelsea lifting the trophy in May 2015, is convinced they can finish top again.

He added: “I look around at the players we have in the dressing room and feel we have the squad to win the title. It is a big squad.

“Obviously both Manchester clubs bought well in the summer and got some great names. But names don’t make one team together or make you champions.

“We are showing this season that we are a big team as well and are capable of competing with them.”

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