Chelsea wants me to return says curtois

MADRID (AFP) – Belgian goalkeeper Thibaut
Courtois has said he is wanted by both Atletico
Madrid and Chelsea, but has not yet made a
decision on where he will play next season.
The 21-year-old is yet to play a game for
parent club Chelsea as he has spent the last
three seasons on loan at Atletico after joining
the English side from Genk in 2011.
However, Courtois has consistently stated that
he will not go back to Jose Mourinho’s side
unless he is guaranteed first team football and
with Petr Cech enjoying a return to his best
form this season, Courtois would be open to
another year in the Spanish capital.
“My agent handles that and tells me what is
important. Atletico want me to stay and
Chelsea to return. We need to see where I feel
best, although I am still not sure and therefore
have not taken a decision,” he told Spanish
sports daily AS.
Rumours in Spain have also suggested that
Real Madrid could hijack any attempt by
Atletico to sign the player on a permanent
basis.
However, with Atletico and Real set to face
each other in a crucial match in the La Liga
title race on Sunday, Courtois played down
suggestions he could be playing anywhere
other than Atletico or Chelsea next season.
“I am concentrated on Atletico and I belong to
Chelsea. If anyone in Europe wants to sign me
they have to talk to Chelsea and then the
English club will decide what to do. Everything
has to go through them and if it doesn’t then
there is nothing to talk about.
“I have a contract with Atletico until June and
then two more years with Chelsea. If any offer
comes in, Chelsea have to decide if they want
me to leave, but that is not the case. Right now
Atletico and Chelsea are the only two teams
for me.”
Courtois has the unenviable task of stopping
an on-form Real frontline of Cristiano Ronaldo,
Gareth Bale and Karim Benzema at the Vicente
Calderon this weekend after they each scored
twice in Real’s 6-1 mauling of Schalke in the
Champions League in midweek.
However, he is confident that Atletico’s more
cautious approach could see them get the win
they need to join Real on 63 points at the top
of La Liga.
“We are different to Schalke. They were very
open against Madrid. They left them a lot of
space and Madrid have a lot of pace to take
advantage of that.
“We know that it will be a very difficult game
given the level at which they are currently
playing.
“It will be a question of who defends best. We
need to be concentrated and tight at the back
to keep a clean sheet because we will have our
chances going forward. It will be a great game
and hopefully we can dedicate a win to our
fans.”
Culled from: vanguardngr.com