BURNLEY, United Kingdom: Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho confirmed that goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois will continue to play but expects long-standing number one Petr Cech to stay and fight for his place.
Belgium international Courtois, 22, got the nod to start the season after returning to Stamford Bridge from a loan spell with La Liga champions Atletico Madrid and helped Chelsea beat Burnley 3-1 at Turf Moor in their opening game.
“He is not my first choice for the rest of the season,” said Mourinho.
“He was my first choice today and today he played well enough to be first choice for the next game.
“But when you have on your side a top professional like Petr and you don’t perform you are in trouble.
“I am not in trouble and Chelsea are not in trouble. They are safe because they are both fantastic goalkeepers.”
Cech has been Chelsea’s senior goalkeeper for a decade and Mourinho is not ready to end the 32-year-old’s career at the London club.
“I want to keep him and the club wants to keep him. Hopefully he stays.
“No player is happy when they’re not playing every game but I know Petr and he will not relax.
“He will not sit in a chair and say ‘I have no chance’. He will be the opposite so I am expecting him to go the training ground on Wednesday and to be a top professional and to fight to go back into goal.” — AFP