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Belgium international Thibaut Courtois has admitted that he is not afraid of challening Petr Cech for the first team at Chelsea when he returns next season.
The 21 year old is currently on loan at Atletico Madrid for the third season on a row after opting to go back to the Vicente Calderon earlier this summer. Courtois revealed that the Blues were keen on loaning him out to a Premier League team but he insisted on returning to Spain so as to boost his World Cup chances next year.
"The club [Chelsea] and Jose Mourinho wanted me to return for this season," he told DH.be.
"The management also considered sending me out on loan for a season at another Premier League club. But I didn't fancy that option: I feel good in Madrid and I wanted to play in the Champions League with Atletico."
When asked about the potential fight for first choice goalkeeper position at Stamford Bridge, he added:
"I'm not afraid of fighting for my place with Cech. I'm not afraid of anyone.
"I have faith in my ability and I know that Mourinho doesn't let a player's status affect his selection decisions.
"The proof is that he left [Iker] Casillas on the bench because he thought Diego Lopez was training better.
"Going back to Chelsea would have been a gamble. I could have played, and that would have been perfect. But I also might not have played and could have risked losing my place in the Belgium team. With the World Cup coming up, that would have been a risk."
Written by Prateek Sarkar
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