Thibaut Courtois has labelled Atletico Madrid ‘the most important club of my life’ and remarked that it ‘doesn’t feel like I am on loan’ from Chelsea.
The Belgian international is into a third consecutive season on loan from the London club at the Vicente Calderon, and speculation surrounds whether he will ever return to Stamford Bridge, where he has yet to play after a 2011 transfer from Genk.
“We must wait, time will tell. This year I wanted to stay because I was not sure if I would play for Chelsea,” Courtois has considered in an interview published this week with Sportium.
“Besides, I was excited to play in the Champions League with Atletico and I wanted to be a starter with a view to the World Cup.
“I pressed to stay, but now everything depends on Chelsea. I had a conversation with Mourinho and we decided that it was best for me to stay here.
“I belong to Chelsea, but Atletico is the most important club in my life. I do not feel like I am on loan, I have won titles and a reputation in little time.
“Our ambitions this season? We are working very hard for the team to maintain this level all season, but the road is very long.
“The Champions League? We want to get as far as possible and we are showing that we have the team for it.”
