Ex-Chelsea goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois has shown his respect to his former employees with what he said in his Real Madrid player press conference. But what he did after the cameras went off will be appreciated by Blues fans.
The Belgian splits opinion within the Blues fanbase for how he departed the club in the summer of 2018. The nature of his exit left a sour taste in many people's mouths, but he himself has explained why he did what he did whilst also hoping that time would be a good healer in this situation. "Maybe my departure was less pleasant but it's always difficult to leave," he said during his press conference on Tuesday afternoon.
"We'll see tomorrow. I'm here to help Real Madrid win and reach the semi-finals." Since his exit four years ago, Chelsea have gone through the process of finding their new long-term goalkeeper and Petr Cech return was the key to finding the answer after a difficult Kepa Arrizabalaga spell.
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Edouard Mendy's signing from Rennes was not given too much notice at the time but his heroics in the Champions League and for his country respectively has placed the goalkeeper among the top-ranked in world football. It's no surprise to see most fans viewing Real Madrid's No.1 as a thing of the past and the keeper is hoping his return to west London will not result in a hostile reception this time around.
"That’s in the past. I played here for four years and I won two league titles and two cups. Maybe my departure was less pleasant but it is always difficult to leave. I am here to win tomorrow," he added. "I was at Chelsea for five years. They loaned me to Atletico, come back, I got to work with Petr Cech and win two Premier Leagues. I am always grateful and I think Chelsea can continue to be one of the best in the world."
His admiration for the club is clear to see and when considering his need to leave back in 2018 due to family reasons and wanting to be closer to his children, it only seems as though the fans were the only one to take his decision four years ago to heart. And this was illustrated by what happened after his press conference. As per the Athletic's Simon Johnson: "Before Courtois left the Chelsea suite at Stamford Bridge where press conference was held, he went over to give veteran club employee Brian a big hug and ask him how he’s doing. Not forgotten."
A class touch from a divisive figure who will hope to prove a point this time around when Los Blancos look to enact revenge on the current European and world champions for their win last season.
