Guzan bills Chelsea’s Thibaut Courtois as ‘one of the top five goalkeepers in the world’

Aston Villa's Brad Guzan will stand opposite Thibaut Courtois on Saturday and says he sees the 22-year-old Belgian as Chelsea's 'future'.

Thibaut Courtois has started all five of Chelsea's Premier League matches to begin the 2014/15 season. Paul Ellis / AFP

Brad Guzan has hailed Thibaut Courtois as one of the world’s best goalkeepers and insists the Belgium international deserves to be Chelsea’s No 1.

The Aston Villa keeper believes Courtois is Chelsea’s future ahead of Villa’s trip to Stamford Bridge on Saturday.

Courtois has replaced Petr Cech between the posts for Chelsea this season after three years on loan at Atletico Madrid, where he won the Europa League, Uefa Super Cup, Copa del Rey and La Liga.

“He’s someone who I believe is one of the top five goalkeepers in the world,” Guzan told Villa’s official site.

“Thibaut’s resume is outstanding. His accolades for the past few seasons at Atletico speak for itself, with Belgium too.

“He’s only 22 so these things are unbelievable. He’s a top, top keeper and someone Chelsea sees their future with.

“There’s nothing better that having the confidence of the manager and coaching staff.

“You want to be dependable and the guy the lads look to if an opposition player gets through the defence.

“You want them thinking that you’re going to come up with the goods and make a save at the vital time. You want that responsibility.

“You relish that opportunity to be No 1 – be the guy that’s going to hopefully help the team. That’s what it’s all about.”

Guzan was back-up to Brad Friedel and Shay Given before eventually becoming first choice at Villa Park under Paul Lambert, and knows how Courtois would have felt after signing for Chelsea from Genk in 2011.

“It’s a great feeling when you eventually establish yourself,” he said.

“It’s not easy being a goalkeeper because you have strikers trying to take your head off – and it’s different from outfield positions in that only one can play.

“You have to wait for your chance, or even your half-chance. You have to take it because you don’t know when the next one is coming around.

“Thibaut has gone to Spain, not knowing the language and league, and gone on to achieve individual and team accolades.”

Follow us on Twitter @SprtNationalUAE