Football
Kevin Palmer 10y

Blues 'eager for new Courtois deal'

Chelsea want to finalise a new contract for goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois "as soon as possible," sources have told ESPN FC.

- Cech could stay and fight for place
- Courtois wants Cech to stay at Bridge
- Courtois eager to repay Blues' faith

Agent Christophe Henrotay held preliminary talks with Blues officials over a new deal last month, with the Belgium international's current contract due to expire in summer 2016.

Sources said the terms of the deal Courtois signed with Chelsea in 2011 did not reflect his new status as the club's No.1 keeper after Jose Mourinho picked him ahead of Petr Cech for the Premier League opener at Burnley.

Henrotay had been reluctant to push negotiations over a new deal until it had emerged whether or not his client would be a regular in the Chelsea lineup this season.

But it now appears Mourinho has decided to put his faith in the 22-year-old after he said: "Petr is an amazing goalkeeper, but the difference between them is 10 years and we think we have to make a decision about the future of the club and to give the goal to Courtois.

"Ten years ago, I had a similar decision to make when we had [Carlo] Cudicini giving fantastic performances in Chelsea's goal for many years.

"I made the decision for Petr because I had in my hands a 22-year-old goalkeeper who could be in the Chelsea goal for years and years and years. This situation is quite similar."

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