Thibaut Courtois has taken a swipe at former club Chelsea by boasting about the higher standards at Real Madrid as compared to the Blues.
As reported by Daily Mail, Chelsea fans have another reason to be displeased by Thibaut Courtois, after the Belgian international aimed a dig at the Blues. The 26-year-old has claimed that the standards at Real Madrid are higher as compared to Stamford Bridge while also adding that Sergio Ramos is the best centre-back in the world.
Courtois created quite a stir when he joined Real Madrid from Chelsea in the summer transfer window. While the possibility of a move was never really in doubt in the weeks leading up to his transfer, the way in which he forced through a move has left a bitter taste in the mouth of the Chelsea faithful.
While he refused to put pen to paper on a new deal at Stamford Bridge, the 26-year-old also refused to return to training in an attempt to force a move to Real Madrid. Courtois then incensed Chelsea fans further when he spoke of his wish to be reunited with Eden Hazard at the Bernabeu.
The 2018 FIFA World Cup Golden Glove winner’s latest comments are unlikely to go down well with the Blues’ supporters either, with Courtois boasting of the higher standards at Real Madrid as well as the size of the Bernabeu as compared to Stamford Bridge.
“In training, you see that the level at Real Madrid is high,’ said Courtois. ‘I am now experiencing on a daily basis that [Sergio] Ramos is the best centre back in the world. The level at Real Madrid is higher than at Chelsea.”
“[The Bernabeu is] twice as big [as Stamford Bridge], of course, it’s a very different feeling. If you look forward, you only see a wall of people, while at Stamford Bridge you can still see the sky or the hotel behind the grandstand.”
While Courtois’s departure has not been felt dearly by Chelsea thus far, it is clear that Kepa Arrizabalaga, who was signed in a world record deal for a goalkeeper, has a lot of progress ahead of him before he can reach his predecessor’s stature. But, comparing the level of the two clubs will surely give way to more irate Chelsea fans.
As far as Real Madrid are concerned, they have a solid long-term solution between the posts in Courtois, who made his full debut for Los Blancos this past week. Julen Lopetegui too, seems to be pleased with his goalkeeping department, with Keylor Navas kicking off the season strongly as well. Chelsea though, will hope they have heard the last of Courtois.
