With Chelsea FC preparing for a season without Champions League action, goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois has refused to commit to the club on a long term basis.
Chelsea have had a horrendous season so far, getting knocked out of the League Cup, the FA Cup, and the Champions League. To top that off, they are languishing at the 10th spot on the Premier League table, 10 points below the last Champions League qualification spot, that is currently occupied by Manchester City.
With almost no hopes of making it to Europe’s elite competition next season, the English press have been speculating about an exodus of top players from the club. However, when asked about his future at the club, Courtois chose to remain diplomatic on the issue.
“I do not say yes, I do not say no. I do not know: I still have three years on my contract. We must see what Chelsea want,” Courtois was quoted as saying by The Guardian. “It is true that it [this season] has changed me. Until now I had always won a trophy every season. We hope that next season will be better.”
The Belgian goalkeeper also commented on the difference in the quality of players at Chelsea in comparison to his national team. He indicated that training sessions with the Belgian national team are much more intense.
“There are only world-class players (in Belgium), while at Chelsea, there are some players a little less rated and we often train with youngsters as well,” said Courtois.
Will Chelsea regret letting Cech go?
Interestingly, Chelsea’s massive slide started after they sold their longserving custodian Petr Cech to cross town rivals Arsenal for a reported sum of £10 million. The Czech Republic international has been instrumental for the Gunners for most of the season, helping them challenge for the Premier League title earlier this season, before the North London side slipped off the pace.
With Courtois not committing to the club for the long run, Chelsea may regret selling Cech off to the Gunners at a time when they are running the risk of losing their current number one goalkeeper.
