Thibaut Courtois To Start Against Paris Saint-Germain Next Wednesday

With the injection of Arab money, Paris Saint-Germain is now a team to be feared in Europe. Despite finishing second to FC Barcelona in their Champions League group, one can’t write them off as an easy opposition. Although with a tactical coach like Laurent Blanc, PSG have struggled for form in the League this season, but watching them play in the Champions League, it’s hard to comprehend.

This is the second time in succession the French Champions have been drawn against Chelsea in the Champions league round of 16, although the Londoners won the tie last season, but it was not an easy game for the Blues by any means.

This season’s tie has proven not to be any different, in the first leg played in Paris, Chelsea struggled to create any chance and was fortunate to score with their only chance of the game and as the game progressed, Paris Saint-Germain began to create chance after chance and was unfortunate to take only one of them.

For Chelsea to progress the Blues need either a goalless draw or an outright win at home against the French side, but to do this, it is important for Mourinho to start with the right team, so they can take control of the game, something they were unable do especially in the second half of the first leg in France.

Over the years and across different countries, Jose Mourinho’s Champions League record has been less than impressive, with only two Champions League medals to his name, with FC Porto and Inter Milan respectively, the self-proclaimed “special one” would be keen on winning it with the club he loves so much, and with the talent at his disposal, with the likes of Diego Costa and Fabregas, as well as inform Belgians, Eden Hazard and Thibaut Courtois, Chelsea would pose a real threat to PSG.

After his Man of the Match display against West Ham on Wednesday night, and for the first time this season, Jose Mourinho has come out to confirm the goal keeper who would start the next game. Despite claiming it was a difficult decision to make, because both keepers have been outstanding when given their chances this season, the Chelsea boss made it clear that the 22-year old Belgian International would be in-between the sticks for Chelsea, when they come up against Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesday. The Portuguese tactician told Sky Sports (quote via express.co.uk): “We have the two best goalkeepers in the country so it doesn’t matter (who starts). “Petr had the happiness of playing the final. Obviously I need to compensate that. “Courtois is doing so much so well for us so for the next couple of matches, this one [against West Ham] and the next one, the Champions League, he will play for sure.”

In my opinion, we can be sure of a fantastic display from Courtois, but in addition, Matic and Fabregas must return to the holding midfield area, with Cesc given more freedom and Ramires joining Hazard, Willian and Diego Costa up front.