Jack Butland is said to be favouring a move to Anfield over Stamford Bridge

Thibaut Courtois contract situation at Chelsea has become a very public affair. The possibility of the Belgian leaving Chelsea for Real Madrid is one that seems more and more real every day. Hence, Chelsea has started looking out for potential replacements for the 26-year-old.

Stoke City goalkeeper Jack Butland is keen on a move to Liverpool in the summer after being linked to Chelsea as a potential replacement to Thibaut Courtois. https://t.co/IqakXuNQZ3

— Anfield HQ (@AnfieldHQ) December 30, 2017

Jack Butland was earmarked as one of those players who could be able to replace the Belgium international. However, it seems like Chelsea’s pursuit for the 24-year-old is doomed before it even starts.  football.london is reporting that Butland prefers a move to Liverpool over Stamford Bridge. This continues a trend for the Blues who were rejected by two other English internationals – Ross Barkley and Alex-Oxlade Chamberlain – in the summer.

Chelsea currently possesses a strong contingent of goalkeepers. Courtois, as we all know, is one of the best in the world. His backup, Will Caballero, is no slouch with the gloves either. Thier are also some promising youngsters on Chelsea’s books. Jamal Blackman is showing great potential on loan at Sheffield United while Bradley Collins and Nathan Baxter are plying their trade in the lower divisions.

Liverpool, on the other hand, has a very shaky defence as it is and the presence of Simon Mignolet at the back doesn’t make it any better. Loris Karius was brought in the summer to replace or at least provide competition to Mignolet, rather the German has been more mistake-prone than Mignolet.

Jack Butland’s addition will only help Jurgen Klopp’s quest to strengthen Liverpool’s spine. The England international has forever been tipped to replace underperforming Joe Hart for the national team. However, injuries have always struck him at just the wrong moment to halt his international career.

If the news is to be believed, then Chelsea will need to look at other possible targets to replace Courtois. Conte is said to be an admirer of Atletico Madrid’s Jan Oblak and Sevilla’s Sergio Rico.

Author’s Take

For me, Jack Butland is the best English goalkeeper at the moment. He has a commanding presence in the box and is a great shot-stopper. He might not be among the elite but at just 24, he has his best years ahead of him. A move to either Chelsea or Liverpool will help him in progressing his career to new heights.

However, one thing is to be noted; if Butland moves to Chelsea, his first team spot would be contingent on Courtois leaving while he will be a regular starter at Anfield in all certainty.

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