EXCLUSIVE: The giant 23-year-old says his goalkeeping education in Belgium prepared him well for the physical rigours of Premier League football and reveals he admires David de Gea

Thibaut Courtois says he had to steel himself for a physical battle when making the switch from La Liga to the Premier League last summer.



Chelsea’s first title victory since 2010 is merely the latest in a remarkably long list of achievements for the 23-year-old, who has already been a league champion with Genk and Atletico Madrid in just five seasons as a first-choice senior goalkeeper.



It also represents something of a personal triumph with Courtois keeping 16 clean sheets in all competitions while adapting to a new team, league and football culture.



The only moment to interrupt the giant Belgian’s serene progress was a nasty clash with Arsenal star Alexis Sanchez during a Premier League match in October that saw him taken from the field, but he quickly regained his starting spot and helped Chelsea to title glory.



Courtois admits the Premier League is a far cry from La Liga but insists his formative years at Genk prepared him well for the physical challenge.



“The main difference is the intensity of the game: the corners, the free-kicks, the crosses into the box,” he tells Goal.

“There’s more pressure on you as a goalkeeper but I think I handle it well with the technique I have coming for crosses - it’s what I learned when I was young in Belgium.“I claimed a lot of crosses this season but there’s more aerial contact with strikers. I had to learn that in the beginning but I was aware of it and if you are aware of it in the beginning, you change the chip in your head and you know it will be like that.



“I’m not bothered that someone will pull my shirt or anything.”



The giant Belgian also reveals he has had to make substantial technical changes to his approach since coming to England.“I had to change my style a bit because of the way Chelsea play as well,” he adds. “I have to play 10 metres higher than I did in Spain, and because of that sometimes you can get a goal like against Stoke [when Charlie Adam scored from his own half]! But that’s part of it and I think I stop a lot of goals being that high behind the defence.”

Another young goalkeeper to make the adaptation from Spain to England is David De Gea. The Spaniard has matured year-on-year to become a world-class performer for Manchester United and transfer target for Real Madrid, and Courtois is impressed by his rival’s spectacular rise.



“He came from Spain and was formed in Spain,” Courtois says of De Gea. “He might have had it more difficult in the beginning and I can totally understand that, but I think he was really great for Manchester United last season and this season. Where they are now has a lot to do with his performances.



“He won a lot of points for his team and had a great season, so it’s nice to see another goalkeeper around my age playing that well.”



The giant Belgian also wants to strike a blow for goalkeepers everywhere by seeing off the more heralded likes of Sergio Aguero and Harry Kane to feature on the Fifa 16 cover.



“I'm very excited to be up for the cover vote,” he admits. “When I was younger I bought FIFA every year and I still play now so to be on the cover would be amazing.



“It would be great to see another goalkeeper on the front cover too, it's usually the outfield boys who make it on so it would be nice to represent the 'keepers!'”

Thibaut Courtois is battling it out with Sergio Aguero, Jordan Henderson and Harry Kane in the race to join Lionel Messi on the UK cover of EA SPORTS FIFA 16. This year, for the first time ever, fans will dictate which player lines up alongside the Barcelona and Argentina ace. Vote for Thibaut at www.fifa16cover.co.uk #VoteCourtois #FIFA16UKcover