Man United legend backs Chelsea’s Thibaut Courtois to be world’s best
Gary Neville has been full of praise for Thibaut Courtois
Gary Neville believes that Thibaut Courtois has all the necessary ingredients to surpass Manuel Neuer as the best goalkeeper in the world.
The Chelsea shot-stopper has been in impressive form since returning to Stamford Bridge from a successful loan spell at Atletico Madrid over the summer.
And former Manchester United defender Neville feels that Courtois has what it takes to become the best goalkeeper around.
“Courtois has the talent to become the best goalkeeper in the world in the next 12 to 18 months,” Neville wrote in The Telegraph.
“I believe he will go past Neuer. The player of the season so far, for me, is not Sergio Aguero but Chelsea’s new No1, who has brought a smile to my face. And not many goalkeepers make me smile.
“In the Premier League, the ultimate test of physicality, it was almost a hallelujah moment to see how he dealt with crosses and set-pieces.
“My stance when a ball travels through the air into the box is that there has to be an excellent reason why it does not end up belonging to the ‘keeper.
“Watch Courtois’ starting positions when the ball is crossed. As he steps out he has already anticipated where the crosser is aiming it and is standing there already when it arrives.
“It is a fantastic ability. I will always argue for catching over punching and Courtois destroys the myth that punching is always a better option.”
