Chelsea Star Suffers Massive Injury Blow, Out Till January 2016

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has confirmed that first-choice goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois will be out of action until December due to an injury, as per the club’s official Twitter account.

@ChelseaFC tweeted: “Jose reports only Courtois is unavailable due to injury but the recovery is going well. He should be back in December #CFC.”

The 23-year old shot-stopper has not featured for the Blues since the 2-1 home defeat to Crystal Palace in August. Courtois was in impressive form last season as Chelsea won the league title and the Capital One Cup, but his injury has given Asmir Begovic the chance to show his talents to the Chelsea fans, with rookie Jamal Blackman as back-up. Although Mourinho has said he will be back in December, it is likely to take him up to January before he can be back to full fitness.

Although Begovic has always been impressive in all the games he has kept in this season, but the former Stoke City goalie has seen his performances swept under the radar due to lacklustre defending by the Chelsea defence; something that used to be their main strength.

Nevertheless, Mourinho will be keen for his number one choice goalie to return to action as soon as possible.

Courtois enjoyed success at Chelsea last season and he fended off competition from veteran goalie Petr Cech to become the Blues’ first-choice, and he ended the season helping Chelsea win the Premier League and the Capital One Cup trophies.

The former Genk shot-stopper joined Chelsea in 2011, but the west London club decided to ship him out on loan to Atletico Madrid for three seasons. Courtois would go on to win the La Liga title with Diego Simeone’s side and also reached the Champions League final in 2013 before the Blues decided to recall him from the loan spell.

Chelsea’s title defence has started on a sour note with the Blues currently languish in 16th place after Saturday’s 3-1 home defeat to Southampton has left them with just two wins, two draws and four defeats in eighth Premier League games thus far.