THIBAUT COURTOIS SET TO QUIT ATLETICO

By Staff Writer
Updated: 15 February, 2012

Chelsea goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, who is currently on loan at Atletico Madrid, says he wants to leave Spain during the summer and return to England.

Courtois sees his long-term future at Stamford Bridge and has appealed to Andres Villas-Boas to bring him back to Chelsea when his one-year loan spell at the Vicente Calderon ends in four months time.

However the 19-year-old acknowledges a starting position at the London club is highly unlikely in the near future and says he is willing to move to another Premier League outfit on loan first.

Speaking to Belgian media site RTBF, Courtois said: “I think I have to play one or two more years on loan at another English club before I am ready for Chelsea. this will help me to find out what football is like in the English league.”

“If I manage that, then we’ll see if I can get in to the side at Chelsea. It is difficult to know at this stage. I am very happy with my performanceat Atletico Madrid, but I have time to continue growing and improving,”

Courtois was sent on loan to the Madrid side almost immediately after joined the blues from Genk last summer and has been in outstanding form in la liga for the Rojiblancos, who he says he is happy at this season.

However the young stopper admitted another year at Atletico would be his “plan b” and said his preferred choice would be a return to England.

“I have not spoken about next year yet and if Atletico want me to stay another season, and Chelsea accepted, then so be it. For now I will concentrate on the three months I have left in Madrid.”

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