It would be hard to believe that Thibaut Courtois is a Chelsea player. The Belgian has spent the last two seasons on loan at Atletico Madrid and has been shipped out again this campaign. However, the 21-year old has revealed that the club and manager Jose Mourinho wanted him to play in the Premier League this time before returning to Stamford Bridge next summer to challenge Petr Cech for the No.1 spot.

Courtois said, “The club and Jose Mourinho wanted me back this season. The management also thought about loaning me to a Premier League team. But I didn’t like that option, I feel good in Madrid and I wanted to play in the Champions League with Atletico.”

The Belgian international also expressed hope that he can dislodge Cech as the Blues’ first-choice stopper next season but his focus for now remains to play regularly before next year’s World Cup. Courtois added, “I’m not afraid of fighting for my place with Cech. I believe in my qualities and I know Mourinho does not think about status when he chooses players. The proof is that he left Casillas on the bench because he though Diego Lopez was training better.”

Talking about his decision to stay in Madrid for another season, Courtois said, “Going to Chelsea was head or tails. I could have played and it would have been perfect, but also I could have not played and lost my place in the national team. That would be a risk ahead of the World Cup. Next year I can afford to take more risks. But right now, the important thing for me as a young player is to play to achieve a better level.”