‘Courtois better than De Gea’

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Chelsea’s Courtois and De Gea of Manchester United – widely regarded as two of the world’s best young keepers – line up on opposite sides at Stamford Bridge on Saturday Night Football.

The Belgium No 1 has helped Chelsea to the brink of the Premier League title in his first season in England, while De Gea’s form has improved steadily since his arrival at Old Trafford in the summer of 2011.

The Spaniard has been linked with Real Madrid and is a candidate for the PFA Player of the Year shortlist but Seaman, who won nine major trophies with Arsenal and was capped 75 times by England, told Sky Sports News HQ: “For me it’s Courtois.

“He’s been solid and shown his class. At Chelsea you don’t get a great deal to do (as a goalkeeper), but when he’s been called on he’s been fantastic.

“De Gea had a really dodgy start, but he’s shown his character and he’s now showing everybody why Manchester United bought him. He’s a quality keeper who makes some fantastic saves.”

The one blot on Courtois’ recent copybook came against Stoke this month when he was beaten by a 60-yard Charlie Adam strike.

It was a goal which bore comparison with the famous Nayim goal conceded by Seaman during Arsenal’s Euroepan Cup Winners’ Cup final defeat to Real Zaragoza in 1995.

Seaman said: “Going back to Courtois – apart from the goal he let in against Charlie Adam he’s had a great season. I’d tell him: don’t worry, it happens to the best of us!”

Watch Chelsea v Manchester United live on Saturday Night Football. Coverage begins at 4.45pm on Sky Sports 1.

David Seaman supports Know the Score, which ?raises awareness of bowel cancer through football from 11-18 April. To find out more visit www.knowthescore.org.uk or follow @KnowTheScoreUK on Twitter.