On-loan Atletico star confident of challenging Cech.
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Chelsea youngster Thibaut Courtois says he is confident about his future at the club, despite the presence of the long-serving Petr Cech as the club’s current first choice goalkeeper, according to Goal.com.
The Belgian is widely regarded as one of the best young goalkeepers in the world at the moment, after a highly impressive couple of years out on loan with Atletico Madrid, where he will spend his third consecutive season in the 2013/14 campaign.
His performances have not gone unnoticed, and it is thought that he could become a target for Barcelona next summer if Chelsea still cannot find a place for him, though he has set his sights on displacing Cech as the club’s number one.
The Czech Republic international has been a world class performer for the Blues since joining the club in 2004, and still looks like having plenty of years left at the top level, though his young understudy feels he could have even stayed at Stamford Bridge this season and made a good effort of competing for a starting spot.
“The club and Jose Mourinho wanted me back for this season,” he told reporters. “They also considered the option of sending me out to a team in the Premier League.
“But I was not interested in this option, I feel good in Madrid and wanted to play in the Champions League with Atletico.
“I was not afraid of fighting for a spot with Petr Cech. I have no fear of anyone, I believe in my qualities.”
He explained that part of his motivation to stay with Atletico was to give himself a better chance of being number one for his country at next summer’s World Cup, as he will face competition from Liverpool shot-stopper Simon Mignolet in a highly talented Belgium side.
“I could have gone [back to Chelsea] and it may have worked out perfectly, but then again I may not have been playing and could have risked losing my starting place with the national team,” he added. “It would have been a risk for the World Cup.
“Next year? I can afford to take more risks. But for now, the important thing for me as a young player is to reach a higher level.”
The 21-year-old started his career at Genk, and is part of a growing Belgian contingent at Stamford Bridge, alongside Eden Hazard, Romelu Lukaku and Kevin De Bruyne.