Better the Devil you know
COURTOIS: ROMELU HOLDS NO SECRETS FOR ME..I’M AWARE OF HIS QUALITIES & FAULTS
THIBAUT COURTOIS insists he has no fears about his FA Cup face-off with Romelu Lukaku – because he knows all his Belgium team-mate’s “secrets”.
The Chelsea keeper is set to replace
Willy Caballero for tomorrow’s showdown against Manchester United at Wembley.
Lukaku returns from injury primed and ready to add to his 27 goals for United this season.
Courtois will join up with Lukaku next month to play for Belgium – like United, known as the Red Devils – against England in the World Cup in Russia. He said: “Romelu has no more secrets for me, everyone knows him.
“He is powerful, fast, has a good shot, is good with the head and I know his qualities and faults. To know where he is going to shoot. He is important for Manchester so hopefully we can keep him out of the match.”
Chelsea were 1-0 winners at home against United in the Premier League last November. But they were beaten 2-1 by their former boss Jose Mourinho in February at Old Trafford.
Courtois is excited about the prospect of a decider with the FA Cup riding on it.
“I’m not nervous,” he said. “It’s just healthy adrenaline because it is a top match. A large stadium. Healthy adrenaline makes you play better.
“We have already won the League Cup. That’s a nice trophy, but the FA Cup has more prestige. As a player you always want to win prizes. Certainly the ones that you haven’t already won before.
“I watched a lot of football when I was little so I have certainly seen the FA Cup Final before. They were on the BBC. But I might not remember exactly who played.”
Chelsea are aiming to make up for a shock defeat in the final 12 months ago at the hands of Arsenal. Back then they were red-hot favourites after winning the Premier League title, only to disappoint.
Courtois said: “You always go to a final with the feeling it is 50-50.
“Last year against Arsenal it was also the case. Everyone thought that we were the big favourites, but a final is always different.
“The only advantage I have is that I am used to playing in such big matches. Guys with less experience may have more nerves.
“But a final is always a final and is always difficult. I’m always looking forward to play.”
Courtois admits his performances will come under scrutiny following Chelsea’s failure to make the Premier League’s top four. A 3-0 defeat at Newcastle ended their chances, while in the preceding game he conceded to allow Huddersfield to snatch a surprise point at Stamford Bridge.
He added: “You have to just keep trying to raise your level of training. Of course it’s not nice that you sometimes receive three goals where there is nothing you can do.
“Last Saturday against Newcastle I played a good match, but I conceded three times. That’s not a nice feeling.
“Laurent Depoitre of Huddersfield scored 20 seconds after I had a good save. That is sometimes frustrating, but it is football. That’s not an individual sport, but a team sport.”
‘Romelu is important for United and I am hoping we can keep him out of the match’