Courtois in for Chelsea medical

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Courtois in for Chelsea medical

Genk goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois is to sign Chelsea, according to the Blues new manager Andre Villas Boas who has revealed that the 19-year-old Belgian champion is in London for the medical, being likely to become the first transfer on Stamford Bridge.

Although the personal terms haven’t been agreed yet, the youngster is likely to sign a long-term deal with the former champions where he is expected to set new heights and thus make his debut into the UEFA Champions League. “At this moment he is having a medical but has not yet agreed personal terms,” said the Portuguese manager. Courtois turned pro back in 2009 and gathered 41 appearances in the Belgian league.

The keeper’s move comes after the Blues extended Josh McEachran and Ryan Bertrand deals with five and four years respectively. The 18-year-old McEachran has already become a key player at Chelsea, having gathered several European selections as well as pretty many domestic ones. His self-confidence in the middle line impressed especially Carlo Ancelotti who used him plenty of times during his mandate in London. As for Betrand, the 21-year-old, who has changed five teams, only gathered one selection with the Blues. He last played as loan for Nottingham Forest with which he gathered 19 games.

Bertrand looked pleased with his extension, although Ashley Cole remains the main candidate for the left back position. “I can see the manager is young and hungry and wants to take the club forward so I want to be part of that and I thought it was best for me to stay. Obviously Ashley Cole is number one left- back but hopefully I can get a game here and there,” said the player.

Chelsea are still expected to make a big-name move. FC Porto striker Falcao is no longer among the main favorites as Villas’s former player signed a new deal with the European champions. Hulk has also become unlikely to sign the West-Londoners, while Didier Drogba seems to commit to the Blues. Falcao’s new deal with the Portuguese side runs through the 2015 season, his release clause reaching 45 million euros.

Chelsea finished the season second with 71 points, nine behind new champions Untied who ousted them from the UEFA Champions League quarter finals, as well. Roman Abramovic sacked Ancelotti after the Italian manager failed to defend the title and the FA Cup which he had won in the previous season.

Andre Villas Boas made his debut in England with a 1-0 win against Portsmouth whom the Blues beat this past weekend thanks to an own goal which followed Fernando Torres’s cross from the right. Their Asian pre-season tournament includes a couple of more friendly games against Malaysia All Stars and Thailand All Stars. Boas will make his official debut against Stoke City whom Chelsea face on August 14 in the first day of the new season.

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