Four targets as Chelsea bumble into goalkeeper chase

LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 20: Luis Suarez of Barcelona celebrates after Lionel Messi (Not pictured) of Barcelona scores his sides first goal, as Thibaut Courtois of Chelsea looks dejected during the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 First Leg match between Chelsea FC and FC Barcelona at Stamford Bridge on February 20, 2018 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 20: Luis Suarez of Barcelona celebrates after Lionel Messi (Not pictured) of Barcelona scores his sides first goal, as Thibaut Courtois of Chelsea looks dejected during the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 First Leg match between Chelsea FC and FC Barcelona at Stamford Bridge on February 20, 2018 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
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chelsea, thibaut courtois
chelsea, thibaut courtois

Thibaut Courtois should be sold by Chelsea.

Regardless of opinions on Courtois, Chelsea have handled his contract situation with such an appalling lack of managerial acuity that it leaves one wondering. Generally speaking, a player should not be allowed to enter even the last 18 months of a contract let alone the last 12.

Player are allowed to start negotiating with foreign clubs with six months left on their contract. Their transfer value is so deeply tarnished due to the owning clubs weakened stance that it is considered pretty pathetic on the behalf of the selling club.

Chelsea have allowed that to happen with Courtois. To make it even worse, they have allowed all of the negotiations to play out in public. Each and every offer and rejection should have been handled behind closed doors, discreetly so that every other club with a wandering eye did not know exactly how awful of a situation things are at Stamford Bridge.

With the latest news that Courtois has rejected his last contract offer, Chelsea have no choice except to sell him this summer or risk losing him for free.

The Blues will have little time to find a replacement. There are four good possibilities in the market.