Chelsea Goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois 'To Oust Petr Cech From Number One Spot'
Chelsea are preparing for a changing of the guard in goal this season after Thibaut Courtois revealed he was preparing to oust Petr Cech as the club's first-choice goalkeeper.
Courtois returned to Stamford Bridge in the summer after a successful three-year spell at Spanish champions Atletico Madrid on loan.
The 22-year-old emerged as one of Europe's top goalkeepers during his time at the Vicente Calderón Stadium as Diego Simeone led Atletico to La Liga, Copa Del Rey, Europa League and Europa Super Club success.
The Belgian now believes his rich vein of form, which saw him pull off an outstanding save against pre-season opponents Werder Bremen at the weekend, will see Jose Mourinho make him Chelsea's number one keeper ahead of Cech.
The Telegraph reports Courtois has told friends he expects to start in the Blue's opening Premier League match against Burnley on 16 August and intends to cement his position behind Chelsea's defence.
His selection would relegate Cech, who has been one of Chelsea's most loyal and distinguished servants since moving to west London from French side Rennes in 2004 for around £9 million, to the substitutes bench and likely alert clubs looking to offer him first-team football.
Cech holds a number of goalkeeping records, including reaching 100 clean sheets in the fewest appearances (180) and is Chelsea's clean-sheet record holder with 220 in all competitions.
Paris Saint-Germain have made enquiries about Cech and have been preparing a £10-million bid for the 32-year-old, while Real Madrid, who wanted to take him to the Bernabeu before he signed for Chelsea, are also interested.
As one of Mourinho's trusted lieutenants, Cech remains an influential figure at Stamford Bridge but after Mark Schwarzer signed a new 12-month contract at the club his position has been under threat for the first time since he was challenging Carlo Cudicini for the top spot during his early days at the club.
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