It is said that having at least 2 players for every position on the football pitch benefits the overall team’s performance. The two engage in healthy competition and feed off each other, effectively raising their game and eventually helping the team. However, if there are 2 world class first-team quality players vying for the same position, things start to get a little bit uneasy.

This is exactly what Jose Mourinho would have on his mind in the summer, when he will have to make the difficult choice between Petr Cech and Thibaut Courtois – the two goalkeepers at his disposal at Chelsea. Courtois will return from his third consecutive loan spell at Atletico Madrid and will directly compete with Cech to be the club’s no. 1 goalkeeper.

His performances for Atletico have been outstanding and he can make a very strong case for his inclusion in the squad. However, on the other side is Cech, who has been Chelsea’s first choice over the last decade. At the age of 31, he is only entering the peak of his career and replacing him with a 21-year old Courtois  might not be the ideal thing to do.

Metro thus report that Mourinho will have his work cut out for him prior to the start of next season, as his man management skills will be tested to the limit. What will he do? Stick with the long-serving Cech and send Courtois off on loan again, or bring in some youth between the sticks by drafting Courtois in for Cech?