Chelsea’s summer departure wants love from club fans

Thibaut Courtois admits he feels "sad" about how some Chelsea fans have turned against him following his transfer to Real Madrid.

The 26-year-old was at Chelsea for seven seasons - though the first three were spent on loan at Atletico Madrid - before leaving for Real in a £35m deal over the summer.


The Belgium international revealed he made his decision to leave in March and explained that is part of the reason he delayed reporting back to Chelsea following the World Cup.

Courtois failed to turn up at Chelsea’s training grounds last summer after the World Cup in Russia, and despite calls by Blues fans calling on him to respect the club, the Belgium international failed to report to training and rather seemed more comfortable sitting out until his deal with the Los Blancos was confirmed.
Courtois reveals he ‘feels sad’ with his relationship with the Chelsea fans now because he ‘loves’ the club.

“It makes me feel sad and obviously they don’t know all the truth. I think in March the decision was already made and I thought the club would accept it.
Then because the transfer was closed I did not show up because I thought it better not to disturb the team and the squad. If I did go there maybe, I didn’t want to be toxic, so obviously it is a pity because I love Chelsea.”

Thibaut Courtois, Sky Sports

The rumours had lingered around the club that Chelsea will lose their top players this summer with Courtois, Eden Hazard, Willian and N’Golo Kante all linked with moves outside the United Kingdom, but they all stayed this summer except for the former, who reveals his £35 million deal was struck with Real Madrid as far back as in March.