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Courtois ready to challenge Cech at Chelsea

06 September 2013 - 15:26

<strong>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.</strong>

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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.<br />

"The club [Chelsea] and Jose Mourinho wanted me to return for this season," he told DH.be.<br />

"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."<br />

When asked about the potential fight for first choice goalkeeper position at Stamford Bridge, he added: <br />

"I'm not afraid of fighting for my place with Cech. I'm not afraid of anyone.<br />

"I have faith in my ability and I know that Mourinho doesn't let a player's status affect his selection decisions.<br />

"The proof is that he left [Iker] Casillas on the bench because he thought Diego Lopez was training better.<br />

"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