Chelsea will start process of replacing Petr Cech next summer

Chelsea will recall promising young goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois at the end of the season to prepare him for taking over from Petr Cech.

According to Spanish newspaper AS, the Stamford Bridge club will make a final decision in March over his future, but it looks almost certainly like they will call him back from his two-year loan spell at Atletico Madrid.

It also claims that Roberto di Matteo was considering recalling the 20-year-old earlier this year, but Courtois’ desire to continue with Atleti persuaded the Blues to sanction an extra year on loan.

However, it now appears Chelsea are keen to have him back in England and the report claims they intend to send him out on loan once more, this time to a Premier League club, preferably in London.

Stamford Bridge goalkeeping coaches feel it is time for the Belgium international to gain experience of the differing style in England and also want him to begin acclimatising him to living in London.

All this is reportedly the beginning of the long-term plan to eventually have him ready to replace current number one Petr Cech, who is now edging towards the latter stages of his career at 30 years of age.

Chelsea signed Courtois from Belgian Pro League side Racing Genk in a deal that was reportedly as high as £7.9million in the summer of 2011.