Interview with Thibaut Courtois (La Dernière Heure) on Cech, Mignolet and the World Cup

By | September 4, 2013

Thibaut Courtois in training with the national team (copyright John Chapman)

Thibaut Courtois in training with the national team (copyright John Chapman)

Ahead of the match with Scotland, Belgian keeper Thibaut Courtois spoke to journalists from the Belgian paper La Dernière Heure. Here’s what he said about Chelsea, Peter Cech, the World Cup and Simon Mignolet.

On staying at Atletico Madrid

“Chelsea and José Mourinho wanted me to return to Stamford Bridge this season, either that or being loaned out to another Premier League cub. However, I preferred to stay in Madrid as I’m happy here and I’ll have a chance to play in the Champions League.”

On Peter Cech

“I’m not afraid of fighting for my place alongside Peter Cech as I don’t fear anyone. I am confident in my abilities and I know that Mourinho does not select players based on reputation. That was proved to be the case when he chose Diego Lopez (at Real Madrid) ahead of Casillas when he thought the former player was training harder.”

Courtois and friends (copyright John Chapman)

Courtois and friends (copyright John Chapman)

The importance of the World Cup

“It was a toss-up as to whether I returned to Chelsea in the summer. Either I would play regularly which would be great or I wouldn’t play and therefore risk losing my place in the Belgian team. That was too much of a risk in a World Cup year.”

Season 2014-2015

“(After the World Cup) I’ll be more willing to take risks but at the moment I need to keep playing, as do Kevin (De Bruyne) and Romelu (Lukaku). The same logic applies to Christian (Benteke). I’ve known him since he was 16 and he’s made great progress. Now at 22 he must play regularly and that’s why it’s good that he stayed at Aston Villa.”

About Simon Mignolet

Mignolet, with Benteke and Alderweireld (and Vossen in the background). Copyright John Chapman.

Mignolet, with Benteke and Alderweireld (and Vossen in the background). Copyright John Chapman.

“Simon (Mignolet) is going a great job (with Liverpool). I know he wants to be number 1 in Belgium and that just makes me work harder. It’s good to know that if I’m injured or have a run of bad form then there is someone to replace me. But I don’t intend to have a run of bad form!”

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