Thibaut Courtois
Thibaut Courtois has said he will still be Chelsea goalkeeper next season even if he does not sign a contract extension in the summer.
Courtois has just over a year remaining on his contract at Stamford Bridge but told Sporza he was proud to play for the Premier League champions.
Courtois has returned to Chelsea from international duty with Belgium for treatment on a hamstring problem, but is expected to be fit for Sunday’s Premier League match against Tottenham Hotspur.
“I have one year left on my contract and I feel good at Chelsea, and at the end of the season we’ll sit down together and talk about the future,” he said.
“I feel at ease, knowing that I will still be at Chelsea next year.
“If I go to the World Cup with a clear idea, sign or wait another year, my mind will be clear at the World Cup. I am still proud to play for Chelsea and I want to achieve success.”
Courtois, who has won the Premier League title twice in the last three seasons, was criticised after Chelsea’s 3-0 Champions League defeat at Barcelona.
The former Atletico Madrid goalkeeper admitted Lionel Messi’s early goal had been his fault, but suggested some pundits should keep their opinions on goalkeeping to themselves.
“When I hear so-called experts talking, I do not think they know anything about goalkeeping — for example, [Louis] Van Gaal should not talk about goalkeepers,” he said.
“I know I’m doing well and I’m coming into top form for the World Cup.
“As a player, you can be hyped, an ordinary stop suddenly becomes a fantastic save, and I think I am still making good saves. But that is emphasised less and I can hardly change that perception.”