Chelsea are in possession of the finest goalkeeper in the world today, according to former Rangers and PSV gloveman Ronald Waterreus.

But they've loaned him out. And he doesn't want to come back to Stamford Bridge.

The youngster in question is Thibaut Courtois who has spent the last two seasons at Atletico Madrid, impressing all and sundry with his between-the-sticksmanship.

He's the world's best goalkeeper: Thibaut Courtois of Belgium, Atletico Madrid and sort-of Chelsea (
Image:
Scott Heavey)

Not least Waterreus, who was reportedly gushing in his praise of young Tibbles in an interview with Dutch footy media outlet Studio Voetbal.

Quizzed if he rated Bayern Munich's Champions League-winning Germany keeper Manuel Neuer as the world's current boss cat, InsideFutbol report that Waterreus replied: "No. Thibaut Courtois is the best and he is only 21 years old."

No mention of England's No.1 Joe 'Blimey' Hart, so something of a foreign bias in evidence perhaps.

But Courtois's performance in the Copa del Rey final did look fairly tasty, in between the general disorder and missile throwing.

For his part, Courtois has tweeted his hope to extend his stay in Madrid, in a message to Atletico fans

"I want to stay here another year and share all the positive emotions with you. I want to thank all Atletico fans for this season. Your support in every game has been fantastic," he said.

He has also expressed his concern that playing second fiddle to Petr Cech will undermine his hopes of representing Belgium at the World Cup in 2014.

That's not going to go down well with Jose Mourinho, who reportedly expects to drag the lad back to west London when he makes his own much trumpeted return.

Check out this fan-made show reel of Courtois's time at Atletico. WARNING: The soundtrack is potty-mouthed rap.

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