Chelsea transfer news: Jose Mourinho wants both Thibaut Courtois and Petr Cech to stay at Stamford Bridge

The Blues boss looks set to confine Petr Cech to the bench after a decade in the net with Thibaut Courtois returning from Atletico Madrid

Samuel Stevens
Thursday 24 July 2014 11:25 BST
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Thibaut Courtois of Atletico Madrid
Thibaut Courtois of Atletico Madrid (Getty Images)

Jose Mourniho has declared his intentions to keep both Thibaut Courtois and Petr Cech at Chelsea despite the selection headache it will inevitably present him with later in the upcoming season.

The Blues manager was forced to endure a trophy-less campaign last time around and watched on as Cech made an impressive return to action from a serious shoulder injury in the pre-season friendly against RZ Pellets WAC.

The return of Courtois, however, poses a considerable threat to his position in the Chelsea net and the 22-year-old Belgian is favourite to start the Premier League opener against Burnley on 18th August.

During his time at Stamford Bridge, Cech has won three championships while lifting the FA Cup four times, the League Cup on two occasions and the Champions League in 2012.

"My situation for the season is fantastic," said Mourinho. "To have Cech and Courtois, the best young goalkeeper in the world and one of the top three or five experienced keepers, for me and Chelsea it’s perfect.

"There’s no story. One will play and Chelsea will be in safe hands for good because both are very good players."

While the former Porto and Inter Milan manager may appear to be nonchalant about the issue, both players will be bitterly disappointed to find themselves on the sidelines.

As Mourinho strives to keep his best players at the club, he has already added Champions League experience with Diego Costa, Cesc Fabregas and Felipe Luis all joining from La Liga.

"The window is the window but I’m so happy with the situation. For a coach the problem is when you don’t have good players. Then we’re in trouble.

"We have to make decisions but we’re paid to make them and I’m really happy with the situation.

"Tonight the game for Petr was perfect because he had difficult situations to deal with. He had the cross at the far post where he had to stretch his shoulder, another where he had to punch under contact, one off the floor to test his shoulder.

"He had situations he needed. He’s shown that completely recovered."

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