Chelsea Transfer News: Petr Cech Makes Quit Threat over Thibaut Courtois Battle

Petr Cech has hinted he may be forced to quit Chelsea if Jose Mourinho continues to pick Thibaut Courtois as his first-team goalkeeper at Stamford Bridge.

One of pre-season's biggest debates was whether Cech or Courtois would receive more game time now the latter has returned from multiple loan spells with Atletico Madrid. The answer has been emphatic: Courtois has started all nine games across the Premier League and Champions League, while Cech's only start came in the Capital One Cup tie with Bolton.

The Czech Republic international suggests this cannot continue, per Reuters and via the Daily Mail:

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I have not spoken to anyone, but I think they know me well enough at the club (Chelsea) to know that the situation is definitely not the way I would imagine.

With the Euros (in 2016) and the national team in mind, there is no time for me to sit on the bench and not to play. If the situation will not start to improve for me, then I will want to solve it.

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At 32 years old, 10 years Courtois' senior, Cech doesn't have time to waste. The next European Championships will most likely be his last, as he'll have just turned 34 when the continental tournament kicks off. A dip in playing time provides national manager Pavel Vrba with a reason not to pick the veteran stopper and the opportunity to start testing younger talents, much like Mourinho is doing at Chelsea.

It could be considered unfortunate that, after coming on as a 24th-minute sub during Sunday's 2-0 victory over Arsenal, Cech didn't have a save to make, per WhoScored.com. He wasn't forced into showing his class and remained a passenger for much of the match, aside from collecting the ball from the stands on a couple of occasions. Deep down, he may have wished to at least receive the opportunity to highlight his quality.

Just a couple of hours before at Old Trafford, Manchester United's David de Gea showed what a stunning performance between the sticks can do for your public image. While Cech will be pleased to keep a clean sheet, he would have underlined his right to regularly make first-team appearances if he mimicked such a performance.

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Mourinho has never provided assurances over Cech's long-term future. Instead, his most recent remarks surrounding the situation suggested he will just fit the experienced keeper in where possible, despite knowing he is more than capable of playing all the big games. The Portuguese manager's comments were reported by Matt Law of The Telegraph:

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Every game is good for Petr to play. Don’t be surprised if he plays a Champions League game or a Premier League game, or if Courtois plays a Capital One Cup game. What I don’t do is say: ‘He will play in this competition and he will play in this one.’ I must make choices and I must try and make the right choices.

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Simply playing odd matches isn't enough for a keeper of Cech's quality. He isn't ready to settle for a place on the bench as he still has plenty of quality seasons left. While it's acceptable Mark Schwarzer is content with doing this at the age of 42, the Australian is a perfect example of just how long Cech can remain at the top level if he continues to play.

His comments are certainly well timed. The January transfer window opens in just two months, meaning Mourinho now has a decision to make. He either plays Cech, or faces losing him. Rival clubs are bound to be circling—especially now the goalkeeper's discontent is public—meaning the run to Christmas will be vital in deciding whether Cech extends his 10-year association at the club.

Paris Saint-Germain and Monaco could reignite their interest, following initial rumours reported by the Daily Mail during the summer, while Queens Park Rangers may also remain on his radar, after he was offered to the club in the last transfer window, according to David Kent.

Cech is still a potential match-winner when he does play, but unfortunately, there are no signs to suggest he will topple arguably the sport's best young goalkeeper anytime soon.