The 32-year-old has lost his place to Courtois after he returned from his loan spell with Spanish champions Atletico Madrid during the summer.

Courtois, who is on international duty with Belgium for their European Qualifier against Wales on Sunday, admits he empathises with Cech.

And Courtois reckons his rival as first-choice at Chelsea is too good to settle for a place among the substitutes every week.

"As a goalkeeper you want to play. If I was in that situation where I didn't play a lot, then I would leave too," Courtois told Sky Sports News HQ.

"I think Petr is still a goalkeeper with a lot of quality and one of the best there is."

Courtois has played a big part in helping Chelsea start the season so well, with the team still to lose in the Premier League after 11 games.

But the 22-year-old reckons it will be a big ask to go the entire season unbeaten, and emulate Arsenal's run from 2003-04.

Courtois believes the priority for Chelsea is simply to secure the title.

"Obviously a lot of people hope that we can go unbeaten, we will see. The Premier League is a very hard competition, so I think that's maybe why just one team did it, but I think it will be hard," Courtois said.

"It's more important to be champions, and if it is unbeaten then OK."