Five-year Courtois deal puts Cech future into doubt

Goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois has signed a new five-year contract with Chelsea, the Blues have announced.

The 22-year-old spent three seasons on loan at Atletico Madrid after joining the Blues from Genk in July 2011.

But Courtois returned to Stamford Bridge this season and started the first three matches of the Premier League season ahead of Petr Cech before being rewarded with a new deal.

The news brings into doubt Cech’s future, with manager Jose Mourinho preferring Courtois at the start of the campaign.