The absence of Thibaut Courtois from the starting eleven, at Old Trafford, yesterday was something that was unexpected.
The 24-year-old Belgian goalkeeper has been a steadying influence this season as Chelsea looked to re-gain the Premier League title.
The first we knew that Thibaut wouldn`t be between the sticks was when rumours surfaced that he hadn`t travelled north with the squad.
Confirmation that he was definitely out came when Thibaut wished his team-mates well on a social network posting.
Speculation as to how he picked up the ankle injury inferred that the Belgian keeper had damaged an ankle whilst filming promotional basketball shoot for the NBA at our Cobham training facility, something since confirmed by the good folk of the Daily Telegraph.
Although the source of the injury is now out in the open, Antonio Conte refused to confirm it when speaking to the media, simply remarking,
“I think after a defeat it`s not right to go into this situation. Courtois had an injury during the week and then for this reason he wasn`t available.”
Our referenced source also goes on to suggest that Thibaut is also rated as doubtful for the huge FA Cup semi-final clash with Tottenham Hotspur this Saturday.
Share this article
