Thibaut Courtois will leave Chelsea this season, if reports in the British press are to be believed. Courtois’s future at the club was already doubtful with some comments made to the Belgium press made earlier in the season, but Antonio Conte’s appointment has sped things along, with the Italian apparently okaying his move to another club, if a suitable price is paid.
According to a report in the Daily Mirror, Courtois is keen on a move due to a couple of reasons. The Belgian has fallen out with Chelsea’s goalkeeping coach Christophe Lollichon, who moulded Petr Cech to be one of the best goalkeepers in the world. Courtois, meanwhile has spent most of the season injured, and has not looked as assured upon his return to action.
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Chelsea’s abject failure this season is another reason why Courtois wants to move, according to the report. The Blues’ defence of their 2014/15 Premier League title has been one of the worst of a defending champion, with Chelsea 29 points of the top in 9th place, which means Chelsea will not participate in the Champions League next season.
Courtois is reportedly miffed at missing out on Europe’s premier club competition, and the Belgian has apparently communicated his desire to leave to Conte, with the Chelsea hierarchy noticing the 23-year-old’s discontent in training sessions – thus agreeing with Conte’s assessment that Courtois should leave, if a suitable offer presents itself.
Chelsea had slapped a 73 million price tag on Courtois earlier in the season, but might have to reconsider the price, especially given the player's keenness to move as well as a dip in form this season.
Courtois had refused to commit to Chelsea earlier this year
The Belgian shot-stopper had made his discontent public earlier in the year, when speaking with the Belgian press. In a televized interview with Belgian network RTBF, Courtois was quite evasive when asked if he would be playing for Chelsea in the 2016/17 season, saying “I don't know. I still have a contract for three years so we'll see what Chelsea want too.”
Courtois also revealed his disappontment with Chelsea’s season, saying “Until now I'd won a trophy every season. I tried to come back as strongly as possible [from the injury].”
Antonio Conte’s arrival in the summer has resulted in Courtois reportedly asking for a move as the Italian rates Asmire Begovic highly, and with clubs such as Real Madrid interested and not fazed by a high fee, the Belgian’s departure could be imminent in the summer.
