Thibaut Courtois has many similarities with legendary Italian goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon, according to Chelsea boss Antonio Conte but the Italian is not keen to sell.
The Blues boss worked with the legend when he managed Juventus and Italy before his move to Stamford Bridge.
And he believes that both goalkeepers have similarities in their play as well as their history.
He said: “Yes, yes. The stories... the histories are similar. Also, Gigi Buffon started his career early in Parma and the same for Thibaut, who started to play early.
“I hope for Thibaut to repeat the same career as Gigi Buffon. I think that Buffon, for me, is one of the best goalkeepers of all time.
“I stayed with him at Juventus before as team-mates, and then as his coach, in the national team also. I think Buffon is a legend for football, and I hope Thibaut has the same career as Gigi.”
“Thibaut has great potential to continue to do great things, to reach great targets.”
Conte rates Courtois highly and is keen for him to remain with the club for a long time.
He stated: “Look, Thibaut is a Chelsea player and I want him to stay here. I think he's very happy to stay here.
“I see him with this club for many years. I want this, the club wants this. I don't see any problem.”
Real Madrid sent him a 'Get Well Soon' card last season when he was injured, and Courtois says he wants to go back to Spain one day but Conte dismissed that message.
The Italian explained: “I think that was very good of Real Madrid, to send a message. I think it's good if a great club like Real Madrid sends a message to players who, at that moment, had a bad injury. But I think it's good.
He joked: “Maybe, in the future, I'd like to do the same (to them)... With Ronaldo.”
