Courtois: Chelsea return would not be the 'healthiest thing'

The 21-year-old admits his future is still unclear but says he has the "biggest respect" for Petr Cech and feels that both goalkeepers will want to play every week

Atletico Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois says his future is still not clear but has insisted that a return to parent club Chelsea might not be the "healthiest thing in the world".


The 21-year-old is close to agreeing to stay with the Liga winners for another season on loan, in a deal which will keep him at the Vicente Calderon for a fourth consecutive campaign.

Courtois feels that competing for the No.1 jersey at Stamford Bridge with Petr Cech would not be good for either goalkeeper but says he is still yet to make a final decision on his future.

"I have the biggest respect for Petr Cech. He is one of the best goalkeepers in the world so I think putting him and me in the same team is not the healthiest thing in the world," he told BBC Sport.

“The two of us want to play everything. Nobody will be happy to play in only the League Cup or FA Cup. Things are unclear at the moment.

"We will see in the next week if we can sit together with Chelsea to find something for next year, find out what they want, what my desire is. We will see."

Next up for Courtois is the Champions League final against rivals Real Madrid on Saturday and the goalkeeper says Diego Simeone's side must defend well if they are to claim European glory.

"We know these are top players and it will not be easy," he added.

"I think we will play the same game as we always do. There are some teams that play more defensive against us and we found it more difficult to make the game.

"Against Real Madrid they will have to come at us more. We will have to defend well and play more on the counter-attack."