<
>

Thibaut Courtois: Petr Cech should leave Chelsea if he is not playing

Chelsea goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois has told Sky Sports he would leave the club in search of first-team football if he was Petr Cech.

Following 10 years as the Blues' No. 1, Cech, 32, lost his place in the side to Courtois, 22, after he returned from his loan spell at Atletico Madrid in the summer.

The Czech Republic international has since been linked with a move away from Stamford Bridge in January after finding himself on the Chelsea bench, and Courtois is not surprised his teammate may be considering an exit.

"As a goalkeeper you want to play. If I was in that situation where I didn't play a lot, then I would leave too," Courtois said. "I think Petr is still a goalkeeper with a lot of quality and one of the best there is."

Courtois has played a key role in helping Chelsea to the top of the Premier League table, with the club still currently unbeaten after 11 games.

Some have suggested that the Blues could go the whole season without losing, but the Belgium international is more concerned about ensuring the title is secured.

"Obviously a lot of people hope that we can go unbeaten, we will see. The Premier League is a very hard competition, so I think that's maybe why just one team did it [Arsenal], but I think it will be hard," Courtois said. "It's more important to be champions, and if it is unbeaten then OK."