Chelsea goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois says his predecessor Petr Cech is the best guy he’s ever met in football.
Courtois joined the Blues in 2011 and after spending three seasons on loan with Atletico Madrid, he took over the gloves from Cech in the 2014/15 season.
Having been displaced by the Belgian, Cech then moved to Arsenal in 2015, but despite playing for a rival team, Courtois says he has a lot of respect for the 34-year-old.
“[I have] a lot of respect for him,” he told French newspaper La Tribune.
“The best guy I have met in football on every level. As soon as I arrived at Chelsea, he always helped and advised me.”
Courtois clearly learned a great deal from his predecessor and has since established himself with Chelsea and Belgium.
Having picked up a La Liga, Europa League and Copa del Rey winners’ medal with Atleti, Courtois returned to his parent club to win the Premier League and League Cup double in 2014/15.
After a poor campaign in 2015/16 as Jose Mourinho imploded and Guus Hiddink performed a rescue act, Antonio Conte has helped bring stability to Stamford Bridge.
Courtois has now kept six clean sheets in 11 Premier League matches – two more than any other keeper – and with a solid 3-4-3 formation in front of him, this season looks bright for the Belgian and his side.
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