Chelsea dilemma over what to do with £5m keeper

 
Simon Johnson23 January 2013

Chelsea are going to hold talks with Belgium international keeper Thibaut Courtois over his long-term future at Stamford Bridge and ensure he doesn’t ask for a permanent move elsewhere.

Courtois is currently on his second season-long loan at Atletico Madrid having joined Chelsea from Genk for £5m in 2011.

The 20-year-old is rated as one of the best young keepers in Europe and his form has been so good that he is now a target for Barcelona, who are considering replacing Victor Valdes at the end of the season.

Chelsea are in an awkward position because first choice Petr Cech is still performing at a high level himself and signed a new four-year contract last May that will keep him in west London until 2016.

But the club are determined not to lose out on Courtois playing in a blue shirt and he is expected to join a Premier League side on loan next season so they can build a stronger relationship.

Courtois’ father Thierry has dismissed reports in Spain over a move to Barcelona and revealed that talks with Chelsea officials will take place soon.

He said: “At this moment there is no contract with Barcelona. A few days ago Thibaut had contact with the goalkeeper coach of Chelsea, who will soon report on his progress at Atletico. When this is done, we will work with Chelsea and talk about his future."

Courtois’ agent Christophe Henrotay added: "Thibaut will finish the season at Atletico. He belongs to Chelsea, we'll see later but there is no contact with Barca."

Meanwhile, captain John Terry believes the team will have to go on their best run of form for years if they are to have a hope of bridging the 11 point gap to League leaders Manchester United to win the title.

Chelsea’s victory over Arsenal on Sunday was just their third at home since Rafael Benitez replaced Roberto Di Matteo as coach in November.

Before that they had lost to QPR and drawn 2-2 against Southampton in the League having led 2-0 at half-time, as well as losing 2-0 to Swansea in the first leg of their Capital One Cup semi-final.

Terry, who is struggling with a lack of match fitness after two months out with a knee injury, insists their performances have not been good enough and admits they have a huge challenge to make the campaign a success.

He said: “Let's not mince our words, after losing to QPR and ­Swansea, and letting a two-goal lead slip against­ Southampton, our home form is simply not good enough for a club like ours.

“If we keep performing the way we are and keep failing to pick up results, Man United are going to run away with it and, for­ Chelsea, in the middle of January, that is not acceptable.

“We know our fans will always stick by us - it's been disappointing for us all lately, but we have to pick ourselves up now and put together the best run of games that we have done over the last few years.

“If we go on a run now, we can then hope that ­Man ­City­ and Man United drop points, but the main thing at the minute, for me, is making sure that we are playing Champions League football next season. That is the minimum requirement for a club like ours, with the players we have.”

Terry is expected to be named on the bench for the second leg of their League Cup semi-final at Swansea tomorrow, but he is confident the team can stage a comeback.

He added: “We have to turn it around. We have the quality to go there and score the goals we need to put ourselves into the final.”

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