Thibaut Nicolas Marc Courtois, 22, is Chelsea FC and Belgium’s No.1 shot-stopper. Despite his young age, Courtois is being widely regarded as the future of goal-keeping, the future best in the world. Of course, many football fans will be ranking Manuel Neuer higher in their ranks, but there will come a time where Neuer is having to look over his shoulder at the big Belgian who is already rapidly catching the German when it comes to who the fans like more.
During his loan-spell at Atletico from Chelsea, Courtois picked up the Ricardo Zamora trophy, twice. 2012-13 & 2013-14 respectively. The Ricardo Zamora trophy is given to a goalkeeper who has the lowest goals to games ratio in La Liga. The award itself was established by Spanish newspaper, MARCA. Such prestigious awards for such a young goalkeeper who was thrown in the deep end. During his loan spells at Atletico, Diego Simeone was quick to tip the Belgian shot-stopper as his no.1.
Courtois’ debut in International football came in 2011. Since then, he has gone on to earn 25 national team call-ups and played for his Belgium side in the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil.
Between 2009 & 2011, Courtois played his football in his native country and was playing for Genk. He made his debut in the Belgian Pro League aged 16 years. His debut was on the 17th April 2009 vs. Gent. He was a key player to his side in the league when they became champions in the 2010-11 season. In his spell here, Courtois gained himself the goalkeeper of the year and Genk’s player of the year award. Over the course of 40 league games, only 32 goals went past him and he kept 14 clean sheets.
In July 2011, Chelsea FC confirmed the deal to bring Thibaut Courtois to Stamford Bridge on a five-year-deal. Chelsea fans didn’t know what to expect from a ‘keeper at such a young age but they would soon fall in love with him. Before that though, he headed off for his loan-spell in Spain where he was an Atleti player. Within weeks of signing on the dotted lines in London, Courtois was then told and accepted to go and gain some experience in Spain. Courtois was given the no.13 shirt that had been left vacant since David De Gea joined United.
Courtois made his debut for Atletico in the Europa League. His La Liga debut was in a 0-0 draw with Osasuna. In his first 6 games, Courtois kept 4 clean sheets and quickly became Atleti’s no.1.
In November 2011, Courtois received his first red card after a challenge on Benzema as Atleti lost the Madrid derby 4-1.
During 2012, Atletico reached the Europa League final, Courtois started gain valuable experience. He kept a clean sheet as Atleti beat fellow Spanish side, Athletic Bilbao 3-0.
Courtois’ loan deal was extended to the next season. His first game after receiving his loan extension was in the Super Cup game vs. his parent club, Chelsea. Atletico won this game comfortably, 4-1.Later in that season, Thibaut Courtois set a record of not conceding a goal in the Calderon in 820 minutes of football. The record was lost as Atletico lost 0-1 to Real Sociedad.
In 2013, Atletico reached the Copa Del Rey final. In this game, Courtois was named Man of the Match, and what a massive achievement that is at such a young age. Atletico won the Copa Del Rey after beating Real in the final, 2-1. It was the first time in 14 years that Atletico had beaten Real.
2013-14 season, Courtois contract was extended yet again, but for the last time. What a season it was for Atletico. Becoming champions of La Liga fending off sides like Barcelona and Real Madrid along the way. As well as this, Atletico got all the way to the Champions League final, no-one expected this. Courtois was in the side that knocked Chelsea out in the semi-finals after an investigation into whether or not he was eligible to face his parent club. The last time Atleti had won La Liga before 2013 was in 1996. Courtois was nominated as the best keeper in the league. Again, what an achievement.
2014, Courtois returned to Chelsea for the start of the 2014/15 campaign. Without any hesitation, he was put straight into the starting XI for the first BPL game of the season, away at Burnley. Although he didn’t manage to keep a clean sheet, Chelsea were victorious and Courtois did have to make a number of top saves to keep Burnley at bay. Chelsea 2nd game of the season was at home to Leicester where Courtois kept his first clean sheet of the season and made some top saves yet again. All through the season, Courtois is growing in confidence and re-paying Jose’s trust in him. Before we knew it, Courtois is being tipped to be up there as the best goal keeper in the league, if not the world in barely any time. All we can say is, he is a top keeper and a massive credential to our club. For me, David De Gea is given far more praise than what Courtois receives. That may be because De Gea is constantly busy. But, Courtois reads the game for the whole 90+ minutes and is positive in every scenario. Watch this space, Courtois is coming for you.
Courtois is your perfect keeper. Tall, excellent reflexes, dominant and alert. Some of the saves I’m sure you have seen this season proves this. To name the latest, some of the saves he made in the Capital One Cup Semi Final. Denying Lallana and Gerrard from distance as well as demanding his box and winning his 50/50 situations.
The only thing that Courtois can do is progress, he won’t go backwards. If he is this good now, what does the future have in store for this incredible Belgian?
