Chelsea goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois has expressed his desire to return to Spain saying that he will reconsider his future at Chelsea in 2018. The Belgian is keen on joining former club Atletico Madrid and may not sign a contract extension at the Stamford Bridge to return to La Liga.
Courtois was signed by the Blues in 2011 from Genk and was soon shipped out to Atletico Madrid for the next three seasons. It was at the Vincente Calderon where the Belgian stopper developed as a player.
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He guided Diego Simeone's side to their first La Liga title since 1996 along with finishing as Champions League runners-up in the 2013-14 season. Courtois also revealed that he got emotional when his time with Atletico Madrid came to an end and wants to make a return to the Spanish outfit.
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“I feel half Spanish,” Courtois told Marca. “When I said goodbye I had a bad time. I had cold blood, it was not easy. I cried.”
“Atletico is a family club. I still feel their love.”
Courtois returned to Chelsea in the 2015-16 to replace Petr Cech as Chelsea's first choice goalkeeper, winning the Premier League and the Capital One Cup. Asked if he specifically wants to return to the Los Colchoneros, Courtois replied: “Yes, but not only because of the club, but how Madrid is and the whole country.”
“From the first minute, I fell in love with Spain for its people, lifestyle, food… I still eat dinner and then have an afternoon nap, most of the television I see is Spanish… I am half Spanish.”
“I have a contract at Chelsea for three seasons,” he added. “In 2018, when I enter the final year of the contract, we will assess whether to renew or leave.”
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But despite his desire to make a return, Courtois is already enjoying life under new Chelsea boss Antonio Conte. The Italian has already made a promising start, enduring only one defeat in his five matches coming against an in-form Liverpool side.
"He always thinks about football and tactically he is very strong," said Courtois. "He knows what he wants from the team and through videos he ensures that we get his idea. With Conte, we know that provided we work, the games will go well. His plan is to play well starting from the back and that suits me."
Chelsea now face Premier League champions Leicester City in the EFL Cup tonight, however, Courtois is expected to make way for the second choice keeper Asmir Begovic.
