Courtois: I want a fair challenge for the No.1 spot next season

Courtois’ impressive performances have earned him La Liga’s best Goalkeeper award

Thibault Courtois is a man on a mission. Into his third season on loan at Athletico Madrid, Courtois has put in impressive performances for Atletico Madrid which has won him the La Liga‘s goalkeeper of 2012-13.

The award was given to him on Monday night, and the young Belgian was pleased to have received the honour.

Chelsea would be taking a serious look at the boy and have been reported to be interested in bringing him back to Stamford Bridge next season. Courtois though seems to be unwilling to return to his parent club as he feels that he would become only an understudy for Petr Cech. The 21 year old keeper wants assurances over first team chances from Chelsea before he commits to long term.

Chelsea have offered a contract extension that would keep the Belgian at the club until 2019 but Courtois has reservations about penning the extension as he is settled in Spain and would very much prefer to stay in Madrid, possibly on permanent basis, next season, instead of sitting on the Blues bench.

The Belgian still has two-and-half years left to run on his current Chelsea deal which puts the Blues in a position of strength for the time being.The hierarchy would not want to be put in a situation where they would have to sell the player and are hoping to convince him as soon as possible.

Upon receiving the reward, Courtois said: ” This is the most beautiful award I’ve ever won in my career. In 2011, I was crowned as best goalkeeper in Belgium but this is really on another level.

This is a huge honour. Spain has always had great goalkeepers. Casillas and Valdes are nominated for the FIFPro World XI, and I’m not the only good goalkeeper in the Primera División. I’m happy. This award has been voted by the managers in our League. I’m still 21 and I can grow as a goalkeeper.”

When asked about his future, he said: ‘I don’t want to think about it yet. I will decide my future only in a few months.’