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Welcome to ESPN FC's #PremRank.
ESPN FC is counting down the top 50 players in the Premier League, as voted by various columnists, editors and analysts. Who makes the cut? Disagree with our list? Tell us on Twitter using the hashtag #PremRank.
Why Thibaut Courtois makes the list
Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho had an enviable choice to make as Courtois battled it out with the Blues' long-standing first-choice keeper, Petr Cech, for a role in the starting XI. Courtois won the day, as much for his youthful promise as his superior skills, and then the pressure was on the Belgian shot-stopper to confirm he was worthy of the position bestowed upon him.
Replacing the towering Cech was no easy task, but the assured 23-year-old succeeded in a grand manner. The high point of his campaign might well have come in the Champions League last-16 tie against Paris Saint-Germain in France, as a series of sparkling saves kept the home side at bay. It inspired tributes aplenty from opposition players, with Mourinho labeling the performance "phenomenal." Boasting superb agility for a man of his considerable stature, the goalkeeper who impressed during his loan spell at Atletico Madrid for the previous three seasons is now firmly established as the Chelsea No. 1 for the foreseeable future, following the path Mourinho identified for him the past summer.
-- Kevin Palmer
The stats that tell the story
- His 71 crosses claimed were tied for third-most in the league and the most of any keeper without a misplay this season.
- His 67 clean sheets over the past four league seasons are third-most in Europe's top five league, trailing only Gianluigi Buffon and Manuel Neuer.
What the experts say
"The young pretender to Petr Cech's goalkeeping throne deposed the king with a series of commanding performances. Cool, calm and collected, Courtois was consistently unfazed by pressure." -- Mark Worrall, May 2015.
"Made two stunning saves to keep the score level and allow his teammates to seal three points late in the game. The first half save from Charlie Austin was impressive, but his point-blank stop from Matt Phillips was nothing short of sensational." -- Phil Lythell, April 2015.
"It says much that Chelsea needed at least four fine Courtois saves and one big lunge from Cahill to prevent an equaliser." -- Miguel Delaney, March 2015.
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