Photo by Jesus Troyano/Real Madrid via Getty Images
Photo by Jesus Troyano/Real Madrid via Getty Images
Thibaut Courtois has been discussing his former manager Xabi Alonso and ex-club Chelsea.
Courtois worked under Alonso at Real Madrid last season before the Spaniard was sacked and had a successful career at Chelsea before moving to Spain in 2018.
He was recently asked about Alonso and Chelsea and backed his old boss to do well at Stamford Bridge.
However, Courtois thinks the Blues are conceding too many chances this season, just like his Real Madrid side.
Speaking to Sky Sports, Courtois said: “Unfortunately, it didn’t work out here in Madrid, but I’m sure he will do great things at Chelsea. I guess they have to sort a bit the same issue we have, that we concede too many chances.”
Enzo Fernandez for Man City
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Real Madrid have a much better defensive record in the league than Chelsea. They have only conceded four goals in five games, whereas Chelsea have let in nine in four. Yet Courtois still feels that Real Madrid are affording too many opportunities to their opponents.
Although the match ended 2-1, there was one game in the Champions League where Courtois felt that the 15-time European champions could have conceded four goals.
Speaking after his side’s win over Inter Milan, Courtois told Real Madrid’s official club website: “I think the match could have ended 4-4.”
Real Madrid at least have a world-class goalkeeper like Courtois to bail them out of trouble when their defence is breached. Chelsea do not have that, though the feeling among many is that Emiliano Martinez is at least an upgrade on Robert Sanchez.
Emiliano Martinez of Chelsea
Photo by James Gill – Danehouse/Getty Images
The Argentine is yet to exactly show that. Since joining Chelsea, Martinez has not been consistent throughout the 90 minutes of a match. Hopefully that changes as the season goes on.
In Moises Caicedo’s absence, midfield has proven to be a problem as well. Alonso has trialled right-back Malo Gusto in the engine room, but the experiment has been an utter failure.
Going forward, it is not something Chelsea fans want to see again. And being quite outspoken, had Courtois still been at Chelsea, you would imagine that he would have had a lot to say about the club’s midfield situation.