Chelsea goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois has put an end to the speculation linking him with a move away from the club by stating his intention to stay with the Blues and become one of the world’s greatest keepers.
Ahead of Chelsea’s opening Premier League fixture against West Ham on Monday evening, the Evening Standard have revealed how the Belgian is keen to commit his future to the club and re-build his relationship with the fans.
Many Blues supporters became angered by an interview Courtois gave in Belgium in March, which was mistranslated and appeared to suggest the 23-year-old was pushing for a move away from the club.
However, Chelsea’s number one has told the Evening Standard that he is eager to stay at Stamford Bridge and prove he’s one of the world’s best shot-stoppers.
I am very happy at Chelsea and want to stay. I will try to show in every game that I am one of the best keepers in the world.
Courtois’ relationship with the fans was already disintegrating last season prior to the interview, after a string of disappointing performances, but the Belgium international is keen to put that behind him and prove his doubters wrong.
I know that I didn’t have the best of seasons but there are things that I have said in Belgium which have been misconstrued in England. It unfortunately has given the supporters the wrong impression. It has put me and Chelsea in a bad light, that’s not good. I have never said I wanted to leave or anything. When it looks like I’m being put up against that supporters, it’s not nice.
He continued:
Am I upset the fans have the wrong impression of me? Yes, of course. I don’t want them to think bad of me. In pre-season I showed the quality I have. People may have had doubts about me.
Following a strong Euro 2016 campaign with Belgium, and a promising pre-season, Courtois is looking to continue his form into the new season and help Chelsea get back to winning ways.
I think in the Euros for Belgium I showed I am one of the best and I want to continue showing that. My objective, together with the team, is to get back to winning the League and show that Chelsea are one of the best sides in the world.
However, after getting sent off in the opener against Swansea last season, Courtois acknowledges the need to get off to a winning start this time around, but also the dangers that West Ham will pose on Monday evening.
They are a really good team and I expect a lot of them this season. It is a very, very hard game to start with. It is very important we get off to a fast start to the League. After what happened last year, we need a good opening three-four games before the international break. We will then have something to build on and have some positive energy in the club.
The Blues got off to a disappointing start with a 2-2 home draw against Swansea last season, but will be looking for a more positive start under Antonio Conte against West Ham this time around.
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