Antonio Conte has warned Chelsea to do everything in their power to keep ‘world’s best’ Thibaut Courtois.
The Belgium international rejected Chelsea’s offer of a new contract over the summer and has shelved future talks until the summer.
Real Madrid have been heavily linked with a move for Courtois in the past and have only been given greater encouragement following the goalkeeper’s latest comments.
However, Conte has warned Chelsea they need to resolve Courtois’ long-term future after labelling the 25-year-old as one of the best goalkeepers on the planet.
“I must be honest I think this question is for the club, not for me,” The Daily Telegraph quote Conte as saying at his pre-match news conference on Friday. “I like to also give my opinion about technical decisions, but it is also important for the club to face this issue, this contract with Courtois.
“I can tell you that he is one of the best, maybe the best goalkeeper in the world, and he is a player very important for Chelsea, but the renewal of his contract is a task for the club. I think that Thibaut doesn’t need my opinion. He knows very well what are my thoughts about him.
“I consider him one of the best. For sure, he will be the best in the world, maybe he is now the best. But, for sure, in the future he will be the best goalkeeper.”
Since the start of last season, only David de Gea, who is also considered one of the best goalkeepers in the world, has kept as many clean sheets as Courtois in the Premier League (22). Both have been heavily linked with a move to Madrid, but who will Zinedine Zidane’s side sign?
