The statistics after the first six games of the season show that one of Chelsea’s most highly rated players has actually been the worst in the league in his position.
The Sun have compiled the stats from all the Premier League games this season, with Spurs goalkeeper Hugo Lloris leading the charts when it comes to save per shot percentage. However, it is bad news for Chelsea as their No. 1 Thibaut Courtois is at the bottom of the list.
The Belgian keeper has a save per shot rate of 47%, which means that he has not saved even half of the shots on goal he has faced this season. Courtois has faced 17 shots on goal in six games so far; he has made eight saves, but conceded nine goals.
In contrast, Lloris has a save rate of 78%, while the Blues former keeper Petr Cech comes in seventh with a save rate of 71%. The Spurs goalkeeper has also faced the least number of shots on goal (9), while Burnley keeper Tom Heaton has faced the most — a whopping 34 shots.
24-year-old Courtois was so highly rated by the Chelsea hierarchy that they let his predecessor and club legend Petr Cech join bitter rivals Arsenal. The Belgian did deliver initially as the Blues won the Premier League title in his first season back from a successful loan stint at Atletico Madrid.
However, it has all been downhill since then for Chelsea and Courtois. The Blues finished 10th last season, with Courtois out of action for four months due to injury. He has never quite looked convincing following his return, and has started this campaign in unconvincing fashion.
The bust up between him and Gary Cahill was clear for all to see in Chelsea’s 3-0 defeat to Arsenal and his performances will be a major cause for worry for manager Antonio Conte. Although some of the criticism from Blues supporters has been over the top, the Belgian hasn’t made it easier for himself, recently telling the Spanish media that he misses Spain and Atletico Madrid.
Should things hit rock bottom for Courtois, Chelsea have a capable deputy in former Stoke City goalkeeper Asmir Begovic. The Bosnian shot stopper made 25 appearances for the Blues in all competitions last season, but is yet to be handed a start this season.
