According to a report by The Sun, Chelsea goalkeeper, Thibaut Courtois has failed to report for pre-season training. This is widely believed to be a tactic to force his move to Real Madrid.
And Sky Sports are suggesting that Chelsea will look to sign Jack Butland in the event Courtois gets his desired move. Stoke City will be interested in the deal if Chelsea’s bid is close to £30m.
Thibaut Courtois has been terrific for the Blues since Peter Cech’ exit. They will have an arduous task of replacing the Belgian shot-stopper and the time-frame will make it difficult in the event of an exit. Chelsea need to act expeditiously as the English transfer window closes in just three days.
The West London side have been linked with Jan Oblak and Kasper Schmeichel but none of those deals has come to fruition. Atletico Madrid have invested heavily in the transfer window and they will want to retain the services of their main goalkeeper for the new season. On the other side, Kasper Schmeichel is one of the star players of Leicester City. Claude Puel will obstruct any move for his goalkeeper and that too, this late in the transfer window.
JACK BUTLAND – STATS
In his 77 appearances in the Premier League, he has managed to keep 20 clean sheets, half of them coming in his breakthrough season of 15/16.
He played 35 matches in the previous campaign but was only able to keep six clean sheets with his club in dire straits.
Can Jack Butland fill Courtois’ boots at Stamford Bridge?
Chelsea will be left stranded if they fail to sign any replacement for Thibaut Courtois. Jack Butland is a very realistic target as the goalkeeper will favour a return to the Premier League and his asking price is something Chelsea will not have any difficulties paying. The English goalkeeper had a poor last season by his standards, seeing his team get relegated. He also lost his World Cup starting berth to Jordan Pickford who grabbed the opportunity with both hands.
But having said that, Jack Butland is a quality goalkeeper. He has evolved over the years and at the age of just 25, he still has a chance to improve and his best years are ahead of him. Playing for Chelsea as their number one goalkeeper will be a huge morale booster for the lad. He will get to play against the best players in the world which will add to his development.
But will Chelsea benefit from this move?
No. Chelsea will be losing one of the best goalkeepers in the world and won’t be getting a player close to his level. Jack Butland is a good goalkeeper with a lot of promise for the future but he is no Thibaut Courtois. His inexperience in the big games may come back to haunt them and the intense scrutiny and pressure at Stamford Bridge might well affect the Englishman.
(Stats Courtesy – Premier League)