Thibaut Courtois has clarified his position at Chelsea ahead of the summer, confirming that he will “100%” stay at the club despite rumours of a move to Paris Saint-Germain.
Courtois, 23, had an excellent debut campaign in the Premier League last year, helping Chelsea to another title under Jose Mourinho, but this season has been a completely different story. The Belgian international had a nightmare start in the opening game, getting sent off against Swansea City at Stamford Bridge, and that seemingly set the tone.
After returning from suspension, he was then sidelined through injury for the next three months, coming back into the side in December. Mourinho was sacked two games later, with Guus Hiddink coming in to steady the ship, and although he’s done an admirable job in west London, Courtois has still really struggled to recapture his form.
Hiddink dropped the 23-year-old for the Blues’ trip to Swansea last month, before getting sent off again in their next clash with Manchester City at Stamford Bridge. While his and the club’s struggles have been fairly evident, the goalkeeper has still been linked with a big move away this summer; something he’s recently moved to deny.
“I have never had any contact with PSG,” Courtois told Le Parisien. “I have played a lot against PSG recently – twice last season, again this season in a friendly and twice more in the Champions League this year. They are a good club who win their league easily.
“Me, I like playing in England. Paris is a very good club but I am happy at Chelsea.”
When asked for a percentage of his chances of staying at the club, he added: “I have a contract for three years, so I will say 100%.”
The Belgian’s comments will surely be great news for incoming Blues boss Antonio Conte as it means he can build his squad knowing that he has a potentially world class goalkeeper between the sticks at Stamford Bridge.
Courtois has kept five clean sheets and averaged 2.33 saves-per-game in 21 Premier League appearances this season, with an average claim success of 98%.
As for Chelsea, they sit ninth on 48 points following last night’s dramatic 2-2 draw with Tottenham Hotspur, 16 adrift of the top four with just three games remaining.
Next up for them is an away clash at Sunderland this weekend, with the Black Cats currently languishing in the bottom three. Sam Allardyce’s men sit 18th on 32 points, one behind Newcastle United in 17th, although they do have a game in hand on their fiercest rivals.
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