Courtois 'out for a long time' after knee surgery, confirms Mourinho

The Belgium goalkeeper is set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines after being hurt in training, with Asmir Begovic set to return to the team as his replacement

Posted Saturday, September 12, 2015 by Goal.com

Jose Mourinho has confirmed Chelsea goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois will require knee surgery and believes the goalkeeper with be out "for quite a long time".

The Belgium international was hurt during a training session and will be replaced by new signing Asmir Begovic, who featured in two games earlier this season when Courtois was sent off and subsequently suspended.

Mourinho could not confirm the exact length of time Courtois is expected to spend on the sidelines, with the final verdict of the club's medical staff still pending.

"Courtois was injured in a training session with the goalkeepers. I cannot tell you much, but he needs surgery in his right knee, he will be out for quite a long time, but I cannot be specific as to how long he will be out," said the Chelsea boss.

Mourinho admitted losing his first-choice goalkeeper was a blow but insists Begovic, who was signed this summer to replace Arsenal-bound Petr Cech, is a capable deputy.

"It's not easy to have the best goalkeeper injured, but it's easy to have one of the best to play, and we have Begovic," he added.

"We have a top goalkeeper and Begovic will play."