"Best goalkeeper in the world" not included in ex-Chelsea stopper's top three

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Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois cannot for certain name the best goalkeeper around but has offered three candidates worthy of that accolade.

The 26-year-old Belgian shot-stopper, who swapped Chelsea for the 13-time European champions this summer, was recently named The Best FIFA Goalkeeper of the Year.

How good is Courtois? Five things you need to know…

  1. Courtois joined Chelsea from boyhood club Genk in 2011 but immediately joined Atlético Madrid on loan.
  2. In three years, he kept 76 clean sheets in 154 games (49.4% success rate) whilst lifting a La Liga title and winning the Europa League.
  3. After returning to Chelsea, he would play another 154 matches, keeping 58 clean sheets (37.7% success rate).
  4. A two-time Premier League winner, Courtois returned to Madrid but this wearing Real’s colours.
  5. So far he’s kept five clean sheets in 13 games (38.5% success rate).

However, the Bree-born ‘keeper feels there are three others deserving of that prize.

“[Marc-André] ter Stegen, Alisson and [Jan] Oblak”, he told reporters (via AS).

“They are all great goalkeepers, but I do not know who the best is. I could not go for one, that depends on the defence and also on the whole team, I think I have already shown that I am at a high level.”

A fair selection?

Football, like so many things in life, is dominated by opinions. Courtois choices shouldn’t be deemed the be all end all. If he’s offering his colleagues praise, two of whom play for rivals clubs, then it should only be seen that way.

That being said, all three of his nominees have a strong candidacy to be seen as the world’s best.

Atlético Madrid’s rock Oblak, in particular, is already regarded as that by many. Ter Stegen of Barcelona, in some quarters, is finally getting the props he deserves whilst Alisson is seen as the final piece of Liverpool’s jigsaw in their quest to end a 29-year wait to become English champions once again.

A comparison between Marc-André ter Stegen, Jan Oblak, Alisson, David de Gea and Thibaut Courtois

Of course, Courtois will no doubt get a lot of people talking. There are some notable omissions.

It feels slightly wrong not to include Manchester United’s David de Gea in the week he further illustrated his world-class status.

Speaking before the Red Devils’ match against Southampton, Jose Mourinho claimed that the Spaniard’s midweek save against Young Boys was a stop that “only the best goalkeeper in the world can make”.

There’s also Manuel Neuer (Bayern Munich), though, he’s yet to return to his incredible level after sitting out most of last season. Gianluigi Buffon (Paris Saint-Germain) continues to defy common perceptions but there is still an argument his best days are behind him.

Do you agree with Courtois? Let us know who you think is the best goalkeeper in the world on Twitter and Facebook.

QUIZ: Can you name Real Madrid’s top 20 most expensive signings?

Courtois joined Real Madrid in another busy transfer window for the Spanish powerhouse.

So, the question is, can you name the club’s top 20 most expensive signings?

Let us know how you got on in the comments below or via social media (@Squawka).


The post Thibaut Courtois names the three best goalkeepers in the world right now appeared first on Squawka News.



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