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Chelsea transfer news: Thibaut Courtois wants move back to Atletico Madrid after discussing Stamford Bridge exit

Courtois has confirmed his desire to play for Atletico again after spending three seasons on loan with the Spanish club, and will consider leaving Chelsea when his contract expires

Jack de Menezes

Tuesday 20 September 2016 08:20 BST

Thibaut Courtois has revealed his desire to return to Atletico Madrid should he leave Chelsea (Getty)

Chelsea goalkeeper Thibault Courtois has revealed his desire to return to Spain should he leave the Premier League side, and hinted that he may not sign a new contract with the Blues if a move to La Liga materialises.

Courtois spent three consecutive seasons on loan with Atletico Madrid before he replaced Petr Cech as Chelsea’s No 1 goalkeeper in 2015/16, but the 24-year-old hasn’t been at his best form in recent months and conceded twice in Friday’s 2-1 defeat by Liverpool as Chelsea suffered their first loss under Antonio Conte.

Atletico have retained an interest in Courtois given his impressive form while in Madrid, with the Belgium international helping Diego Simeone’s side to a first La Liga title since 1996 as well as appearing in the 2013/14 Champions League final, and he has confirmed his desire to return to Madrid at some point in his career.

“I feel half Spanish”, Courtois told Spanish newspaper Marca. “When I said goodbye I had a bad time. I had cold blood, it was not easy. I cried.

“Atletico is a family club. I still feel their love.”

Asked if he wants to return to the club he spent three years with, Courtois said: “Yes, but not only because of the club, but how Madrid is and the whole country.

Chelsea vs Liverpool player ratings

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1/24Chelsea vs Liverpool player ratings

Chelsea vs Liverpool player ratings

CHELSEA: Asmir Begovic - 6 out of 10

Made several fine stops to deny Liverpool but couldn’t prevent Coutinho’s superb effort from squeezing past him just before the break. Was let down by his defence for the visitors’ two second-half goals.

2015 Getty Images

Chelsea vs Liverpool player ratings

Kurt Zouma - 5 out of 10

Did well to stop the threat of Lallana and Moreno on the left flank in the first half - putting his body on the line to prevent Lucas’ near-post header from going in - but began to be put under more pressure from Coutinho in the second period and began to struggle at right back.

2015 Catherine Ivill - AMA

Chelsea vs Liverpool player ratings

Cesar Azpilicueta - 7 out of 10

Set up Ramires’ opener with a superb cross that came after he had outrun Milner. Had his work cut out with Clyne regularly pushing forwards but defended well enough.

2015 Getty Images

Chelsea vs Liverpool player ratings

Gary Cahill - 5 out of 10

Combined well with Terry to protect Begovic and stop the threat of Firmino in the first half but should have done more to close in on Coutinho and Benteke when they went for goal in the second.

2015 Getty Images

Chelsea vs Liverpool player ratings

John Terry - 4 out of 10

The Chelsea captain was back to his best against the Reds with some solid defending in the first half, but then let himself down when he didn’t do enough to stop Coutinho from his getting his shot at goal before allowing Benteke the space and time to fire in Liverpool’s third goal.

2015 Getty Images

Chelsea vs Liverpool player ratings

Ramires - 7 out of 10

Headed in Chelsea’s opener to give the home side the lead, but was beaten too easily by Coutinho in the build-up to Liverpool’s equaliser and should have done more to close him down.

Chelsea vs Liverpool player ratings

John Obi Mikel - 6 out of 10

Helped provide cover for Chelsea’s defence in the first half, but was later brought off after picking up a yellow card.

2015 Getty Images

Chelsea vs Liverpool player ratings

Oscar - 5 out of 10

Spent the first half largely on the left flank and while he didn’t get involved in Chelsea’s attacking play as much, he did his job at helping to keep Milner at bay while dealing with Clyne’s runs forwards. But the second half saw him struggle to replicate his first-half showing with Liverpool pressing well.

Chelsea vs Liverpool player ratings

Willian - 6 out of 10

Was so often the driving force of Chelsea’s attacking play with his pace and tricky runs but had less of an impact in the second period.

2015 Getty Images

Chelsea vs Liverpool player ratings

Eden Hazard - 4 out of 10

Played largely down the middle and despite a bright start, saw his impact wane and was eventually brought off in the 58th minute for Kenedy.

2015 Getty Images

Chelsea vs Liverpool player ratings

Diego Costa - 5 out of 10

Was controlled by Skrtel and Sakho throughout the game and rarely proved a threat for the home side. He did well to head the ball off the line in second half but disappointed up front for Chelsea.

2015 Getty Images

Chelsea vs Liverpool player ratings

From the bench: Kenedy - 5 out of 10

Within seconds of coming on, he threatened to score but hit his shot into the side netting. Didn't do much else of note

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Chelsea vs Liverpool player ratings

LIVERPOOL: Simon Mignolet - 6 out of 10

May feel he could have done more to keep out Ramires’ opener but dealt with the rest of his tests well.

2015 AMA Sports Photo Agency

Chelsea vs Liverpool player ratings

Nathaniel Clyne - 7 out of 10

Was one of Liverpool’s best sources of attacking play in the first half down the right flank, and was unlucky not to have been given a first-half penalty when his shot hit Terry’s arm. Defended well at right-back and was one of Liverpool’s best players on the pitch.

2015 AMA Sports Photo Agency

Chelsea vs Liverpool player ratings

Martin Skrtel - 6 out of 10

llowed Azpilicueta to get his shot in to set up Ramires for the opener but, aside from that mistake, was superb to ensure Costa did not prove a threat for the home side.

2015 Liverpool FC

Chelsea vs Liverpool player ratings

Mamadou Sakho - 7 out of 10

Like Skrtel, the centre-back used his physical presence to shackle Costa throughout the game.

2015 Getty Images

Chelsea vs Liverpool player ratings

Alberto Moreno - 7 out of 10

Was outmuscled by Ramires in build-up to opener and will feel he could have done better, but he defended well at left-back while nearly getting a shot at goal in the second half following a fine run forwards.

2015 Liverpool FC

Chelsea vs Liverpool player ratings

Lucas Leiva - 7 out of 10

Received a yellow for a challenge on Mikel, but the Brazilian worked tirelessly in the middle of the park to snuff out attacks and try and create some for the visitors. Saw an effort at goal cleared by Begovic.

2015 Getty Images

Chelsea vs Liverpool player ratings

Emre Can - 6 out of 10

Looked frustrated by not being able to control the game in the first half and found himself escaping a yellow although he eventually got one for pulling back Willian. Despite an up-and-down first period marked by some sloppy passing, the midfielder came out from the break in better form and worked hard to keep a lid on the likes of Hazard and Willian.

2015 Getty Images

Chelsea vs Liverpool player ratings

James Milner - 6 out of 10

Should have done more to stop Azpilicueta from getting past him and setting up Ramires for the opening goal, but he grew into the game and began giving Chelsea problems with his forays forwards.

2015 Getty Images

Chelsea vs Liverpool player ratings

Adam Lallana - 6 out of 10

Tested Begovic with a few shots in the first half with his pace proving crucial in helping the visitors build up attacks from the right flank and also carried out his defensive duties well – making a superb clearance to deny Zouma in the second half.

2015 Getty Images

Chelsea vs Liverpool player ratings

Philippe Coutinho - 9 out of 10

Scored both of Liverpool’s goals –the first after weaving his way into space and getting past Ramires to net a brilliant solo effort before then scoring the winner in the 73rd minute. Was Liverpool’s star man.

2015 Getty Images

Chelsea vs Liverpool player ratings

Roberto Firmino - 7 out of 10

After a relatively quiet opening period in which he kept dropping deep to try and find the ball, the forward provided the assist for Coutinho’s opener in the dying seconds of the first half. He was brought off for Benteke in the latter stages of the game, but Klopp will see the Brazilian’s showing as positive going forwards.

2015 Liverpool FC

Chelsea vs Liverpool player ratings

From the bench: Christian Benteke - 8 out of 10

Secured the win with his well-taken goal from Ibe’s cross after being brought on as a second-half substitute. Proved the impact change from Klopp.

“From the first minute I fell in love with Spain for its people, lifestyle, food… I still maintain eating dinner and then an afternoon nap, most of the television I see is Spanish… I am half Spanish.”

Courtois is currently contracted to Chelsea for another two seasons, and will enter the final year of his deal at the end next season’s campaign. The Blues are highly likely to open contract negotiations within the next year, but Courtois suggested that the decision remains with him and that he will choose whether to extend his stay with the Blues – having joined from Belgian side Genk in 2011 – or push for a move back to Spain.

Jack Pitt-Brooke analyses Chelsea vs Liverpool

Should Chelsea refuse, the 24-year-old could look to leave the club on a free transfer in the summer of 2018.

“I have a contract at Chelsea for three seasons,” Courtois added. “In 2018, when I enter the final year of the contract, we will assess whether to renew or leave.”

One influential factor could be the future of Simeone, with the manager negotiating a shortened contract with Atletico that will expire at the end of next season rather than the 2019/20 season as was expected.

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