Nevin: ‘Bored’ Courtois will be kept busy this weekend for Chelsea

Chelsea legend Pat Nevin believes stopper Thibaut Courtois might finally have his boredom relieved this weekend, when the watertight Blues host unbeaten Tottenham.

Under the control of Guus Hiddink, Chelsea ended any chance fierce rivals Spurs had of winning their first-ever Premier League title towards the end of last term, Eden Hazard scoring late to level a tempestuous encounter at Stamford Bridge.

But now with Antonio Conte at the helm, the Blues are in a sublime run of form that has seen them keep six straight clean sheets in the Premier League, picking up a maximum 18 points to propel themselves for the top of the standings – with Courtois largely a spectator.

Nevin – who made almost 200 appearances at the club during the 1980s – does not think they will have it so easy this week however when they welcome Tottenham.

And after Courtois took to the pitch at half-time against Middlesbrough last weekend to do a second warm-up, Nevin suspects he may be using the interval on Saturday to catch his breath instead.

“I will not be making any bold predictions this week, other than that I expect Thibaut Courtois might finally get something to do at last,” he said.

“It has been something like a measly 10 shots on his goal that the defence have allowed in the last six games, and it led to me stifling a snigger at the half-time in the Boro game.

“Working for BBC Radio as co-commentator, I solemnly explained that Thibaut wasn’t being cheeky by warming up on the pitch for 10 minutes during half time.

“It was less to do with saying, ‘I have had nothing to do…again!’ and more to do with the fact it was a bit nippy up there, with even a few flurries of snow.

“He was just cold and yes, maybe just a little bit bored too.”