Thibaut Courtois has confirmed that “I won’t be at Real Madrid next season” and would “certainly” sign a new contract with Chelsea.
Madrid had been heavily linked with a summer swoop for Courtois, given Keylor Navas’ unconvincing displays and the Belgian’s passion for the Spanish capital, but the Chelsea goalkeeper insists he “doesn’t see myself” at Los Blancos any time soon.
“Rumours of my departure? They are things for the Press,” he told Cadena SER.
“I’m very calm because since my first year [at Chelsea], I’ve heard things like that. Here at Chelsea, we’re fighting for the League and the FA Cup and I’m happy.
“I have two more years of my contract left. In London, everything is going well for me and I’m happy.
“We’re working very well under Conte and there’s a long-term project to win trophies on a European level.
“Until now, we haven’t talked about my renewal. At the moment, we’re focused on winning the League, although we’re 10 points clear.
“Both the club and the Coach want peace of mind right now, so we’re not thinking about renewals.
“We’ll see if, when the season finishes, they offer me something, but at the moment there isn’t one.
“Would I like to be offered a renewal? Certainly. I’m very happy at Chelsea and if they want me to stay, great.
“If you’re a top goalkeeper or top sportsman in your field, there are always rumours. My job is to play well on the pitch.
“What goes on in the Press isn’t my thing. My job is to stop balls and help my team win. I ignore a lot of the news and what’s being said.
“Playing for Chelsea isn’t like playing in Spain, where the Press can watch you train. You’re very far away from that world and you don’t read the newspapers or watch the TV. I ignore a lot of those things and focus on what’s important.
“Real Madrid? I don’t see myself there, I see myself at Chelsea. I feel like I’m a key player in the team.
“I don’t see myself anywhere else. I won’t be at Real Madrid next season. They’re a club where the demand is very high, like at Chelsea, in Manchester or any big club in Europe.
“All goalkeepers can have bad patches, but if you have the support of your team …
“He’s not having a season like he had last, but Keylor is still a great goalkeeper.”