Thibaut Courtois says pressure remains after Asmir Begovic’s arrival

http://www.theguardian.com/football/2015/jul/23/thibault-courtois-asmir-begovic-chelsea

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Thibaut Courtois says the pressure remains on him to deliver at Chelsea despite the departure of Petr Cech.

The goalkeeper was kept permanently on his toes after dislodging Cech, who had been an integral part of Chelsea’s success, winning 13 major trophies in 11 years. Cech has joined Arsenal and with Asmir Begovic signed as the replacement, Courtois no longer has a Stamford Bridge legend breathing down his neck.

Related: Chelsea concede four second-half goals in defeat to New York Red Bulls

Begovic endured a nightmarish debut here on Wednesday night, beaten four times by a young New York Red Bulls side as José Mourinho’s Premier League champions were consigned to a 4-2 defeat. Courtois, however, welcomes all challengers.

“It is the same as last year for me,” said the former Atlético Madrid player. “I started the pre-season thinking as a No1 and trying to get myself ready for the first game. There is no difference in having Petr Cech behind me or Asmir. They’re both great keepers and I know I have to play well and that is what I’m trying to do.

“We saw last season that having another good keeper is very good because Petr saved us a lot of points and helped us to secure the Premier League title.

“My life is not any easier now. Last season was the same because I knew Petr wanted to play. I had the confidence of the manager and the team and I think I did well. You know when you have a good keeper behind you, you have to play well.

“Asmir and Petr are the same for me. OK, Petr was a Chelsea legend and he has more support from the fans maybe, but I will always do my best for the team. Last season went well winning the League Cup and Premier League and hopefully we can win more trophies and defend the title.”

Cech was a cornerstone of Mourinho’s trophy-laden first spell at Stamford Bridge and will go down as one of the club’s greats, someone Courtois aims to emulate albeit in his own style.

“Of course I hope to win as many trophies as I can, but I will not look to what Petr did,” the 23-year-old said. “What he did with Chelsea was something great, alongside Didier Drogba, Frank Lampard and John Terry. Now it’s the new era. I don’t want to be compared with Petr. I am a new player, another keeper and I’m going a different way.

“What Petr did with Chelsea was exceptional. I hope to get as many trophies as he did. But his tally it is not something I am staring at.

“Will I be here for a decade like him? We will see what happens. I have a contract for another four years and we will see how things go. I am happy here in Chelsea. In my first year I won two trophies, which is amazing. Let’s hope we can continue like that and add more trophies to my collection. That will be awesome.”

Mourinho, however, was less than thrilled with his keepers at Red Bull Arena. “First of all I think Begovic was tired, the same as Courtois, and when goalkeepers are very tired coordination is low, agility doesn’t exist, speed reaction doesn’t exist,” the manager said.

“Courtois made a mistake in the first half on his feet; Begovic in the second half was not sharp in his reactions. So, for me it’s a consequence of that. But fantastic goalkeeper, no problem; so happy to have him. Next game against PSG he [Begovic] will start and play the first half so no problem. It’s just a process.”