Kasper Schmeichel declared one of the top three goalkeepers in the world

Chelsea are reportedly planning for life without Thibaut Courtois.

Real Madrid are keen on making Courtois their No 1 next season and Chelsea are thus in the process of drawing up a list of potential replacements for the Belgian goalkeeper. Courtois will take some replacing, however, as he's proven himself as one of the greatest 'keepers in world football after his recent performances for club and country. The Blues are believed to be looking at the likes of Petr Cech, Joe Hart and Kasper Schmeichel as potential options and while most supporters would feel that all three are a downgrade on Courtois, Denmark manager Age Hareide would beg to differ. Hareide has branded Schmeichel, Denmark's No 1, one of the top three goalkeepers in the world and with stoppers like Courtois, David de Gea, Manuel Neuer, Alisson Becker and Gianluigi Buffon all plying their trade, it's a huge compliment for the Leicester player. "He is in the top three," Hareide told Danish outlet BT. "He was perhaps the best goalkeeper at the World Cup. He has also shown earlier, especially in that season when Leicester won the Premier League, that he is at the top. So, I want to say that Kasper is in the top three. "Kasper’s attitude is getting better every single time. That’s why he gets better and better. I think he could be even better. He has also gained a lot of experience gradually and he always works hard."