Thibaut Courtois is fully focused on Atletico Madrid again this season, but is prepared for showdown talks with Chelsea in the summer.
The 21-year-old joined the Blues in a £6million deal from Genk in 2011, but has spent the time since on loan in the Spanish capital. His performances for Atletico have elevated his status to one of the best goalkeepers in Europe, so it is little wonder that there has been plenty of speculation around his long-term future in recent months.
It has recently been claimed that Courtois will remain in Madrid, albeit by joining Real when his contract at Stamford Bridge expires in two years time. However, the Belgian international, who has 14 full caps for his country, is relaxed about his situation, and will discuss his future with Chelsea coach Jose Mourinho in the summer.
“At the moment, it is not clear,” he told Sky Sports 1. “I have a two-year contract with them and at the end of the season we will see. I have a contract with Atletico Madrid until the end of the season and I am focused on them. At the end of the season we will talk with Jose Mourinho and Chelsea. I have a contract with them, so no problem for me.”
Although Petr Cech has undoubtedly been one of the best number one’s the Premier League has seen, there is a growing consensus that the Czech Republic ace will lose his place to Courtois next season. By that time he will be 32, and whilst Mourinho still rates the former Rennes ace, he would hate to lose the younger player permanently.
Courtois, meanwhile, has helped Atletico progress to the last eight of the UEFA Champions League. The Spaniards, who are also chasing the La Liga title along with their neighbours and Barcelona, made light work of Milan in the round of 16, beating the Italian giants 1-0 at the San Siro and easing past them 4-1 in the return at the Vicente Calderon.
