• Champions League

Courtois: No emotional connection with Chelsea

ESPN staff
May 23, 2014
Thibaut Courtois faced Chelsea in the semi-finals of the Champions League © Getty Images
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Thibaut Courtois has hinted he does not feel like a Chelsea player and admits it will be tough to play a fourth season at Atletico Madrid.

Courtois has been on loan at Atletico from Chelsea for the past three campaigns and was instrumental in the side's La Liga triumph this season. The Belgian is preparing to face Real Madrid in the Champions League final on Saturday having played a vital role in knocking out Chelsea in the semi-finals.

Earlier in the week, Courtois said it would "not be the healthiest thing in the world" if he was to return to Chelsea given Petr Cech is the No.1 at Stamford Bridge. He also warned Chelsea he is not prepared to play second fiddle to Cech if he does return to the club.

With his future uncertain, Courtois is keen to remain at Atletico. "I do not have an emotional connection with Chelsea," he told Sport Bild.

"They only signed me for €9 million back in 2011. But I have only been to London to undergo a medical. Chelsea were already reluctant to send me out on loan last year, but I really wanted to stay with Atletico."

Courtois has also won the Copa del Rey and the Europa League during his time at Atletico but admits playing again at the Vincente Calderon may not happen.

"Everything will start all over again after this season and it will be even more difficult to come to a satisfactory decision," he said, adding: "The fans and my team-mates at Atletico do not see me as a loan player."

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