Antonio Conte has urged goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois to follow the example of Gianluigi Buffon and become a legend for the club at which he has made his name.

Chelsea head coach Conte was a team-mate of Buffon at Juventus and then managed him at the Turin club and for the Italian national team.

Conte rates Buffon as one of the best goalkeepers of all time and believes Courtois, who has kept 10 clean sheets in Chelsea’s 12-game winning run, can reach a similar level.

Premier League leaders Chelsea will open talks over a new contract with Courtois in the New Year in a bid to head off interest from Real Madrid and, unsurprisingly, Conte insists the Belgian should stay put.

“Thibaut is, for me, one of the best – if not the best – goalkeepers in the world,” said Conte. “He's working really well. He’s a fantastic goalkeeper. He stays with us and this is the most important thing.