A blow to Thibaut Courtois, Real Madrid and the Red Devils. Due to his cruciate ligament injury, the team cannot rely on his number 1 in the coming months, even though his presence is hanging by a thread after the captain’s case. Peter Vandenemppt explains the problems that national coach Domenico Tedesco will soon have to solve.
“I can imagine it was a very strong blow for Thibaut Courtois and Real Madrid,” says Peter Vandenbempt.
He added, “Last week, he expressed his ambition to shine again in the Champions League final, as happened two years ago. Then the season suddenly ended after training… This is mentally difficult.”
Not only Real Madrid, the Red Devils also have to miss their number 1. Although after the captain’s issue and the scheduled reconciliation talk, the situation is still “a bit strange”.
“We were looking forward to it: What would the consultations with Frank Vercauteren achieve?”
“There has been huge speculation that things are going in the right direction with the Football Association, but I wonder what that is based on. On the other hand, we are hearing stories that Courtois is considering not returning.”
However, injury does not necessarily mean the line is broken.
Vandenemppt believes that “if a longer period passes and the situation calms down, it is possible that the reconciliation process will begin again.”
Courtois and Tedesco were on a collision course ahead of the international match against Estonia.
Courtois’ importance should not be underestimated
Due to his injury, Courtois will not travel to Tubize for several months. Thus, the answer to the question “Will the Red Devil survive?” You will have to wait a little longer.
“Vercauteren doesn’t want to comment on this,” our analyst says. “I think that’s a good thing, in a conflict like this where the two sides are completely at odds with each other.”
“Tedesco upset Courtois by talking about what was said in a private private conversation. Courtois did not appreciate it and his reaction was sharp. So it is good not to make any statements to the media.”
“But the most important thing now is to replace the number 1: Thibaut Courtois’ importance to the national team cannot be overestimated. It is a very big loss.”
“No matter how you look at it – and I don’t think I’m insulting other goalkeepers: Thibaut Courtois is a goalkeeper outside the category of the national team’s golden generation.”
“Although the Belgians should be good enough not to rely on their goalkeeper in the upcoming matches.”
I don’t think calling up Simon Mignolet is the best idea.
Who should replace Courtois in the upcoming international matches? “If Quinn Casteels is fit, he seems to me to be the first choice over the head of the national coach,” believes Vandenbempt.
“There is also talk about Simon Mignolet. He is open to withdrawing from the service if there are major problems.”
“But the question is: Should you keep doing it? Will he come back as No. 1 and make the other boys – like Castles – feel overlooked?”
“Personally, I don’t think this is the best idea, because we already have young goalkeepers of international level.” Although they still have to take Courtois into consideration for the next European Championship.
“If I can believe the specialists, reaching the European Championships is not a physical problem for Courtois. The only question is: Does he want to? The answer to this question should not wait until just before the European Championships.”
“Sometime around Christmas, a time of peace, we should gradually know whether it will be yes or no,” Vandenbempt concludes.
