Chelsea manager, Jose Mourinho has confirmed goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois is back in the squad after three months out injured for Saturday’s home match against Bournemouth.
The Belgian goalkeeper has not played since the 2-1 defeat to Crystal Palace on August 29 because of a knee injury, but Mourinho hinted he may start on Saturday, as he described the 23-year-old as the best goalkeeper in the world.
“Courtois is selected (in the squad),” Mourinho said. “I didn’t tell them (if he will start), so they must be the ones to know. But he’s selected.
“Courtois is Courtois. To miss Courtois for a couple of matches, we knew we had good protection in a good goalkeeper (like Asmir Begovic).
“But to lose your best goalkeeper for three months, and 19 matches in all competitions … 19 matches without the best goalkeeper in the world. It was hard for us. Now we are again in a super situation by having the best and a very good one. I don’t know (if he starts).
“I have to speak with him and make a decision. But, sooner or later, he will be my number one. If not tomorrow, then against Porto (on Wednesday).”
“Courtois was our goalkeeper all last season, and we know how fundamental he was for us. So it’s very important that we have him back.”
Mourinho also confirmed John Terry, Ramires and Radamel Falcao are all still out, but that Nemanja Matic is available despite having to wear a face mask because of a double fracture to his nose and cheek suffered in Sunday’s 0-0 draw at Tottenham Hotspur.