Thibaut Courtois recalls his time at Chelsea as semi-final tie approaches

Former Chelsea goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois opened up about his stay at the club and subsequent exit to Real Madrid (h/t Metro). The Belgian spent 4 seasons at Stamford Bridge from 2014 to 2018 before departing the club in somewhat bitter circumstances.

Chelsea and Real Madrid put their foot in the Champions League semi-finals on Tuesday and Wednesday and they are all set to square off against each other in two weeks’ time. The game will have a lot of sub-plots to it as former Chelsea players Courtois and Eden Hazard will take on their former club for the first time since departing the club.

Mandatory Credit: Photo by Ben Queenborough/BPI/REX/Shutterstock (5505550w) Goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois of Chelsea during the Barclays Premier League match between Crystal Palace v Chelsea played at Selhurst Park, London on January 3rd 2016.

Courtois was an important member of the Blues squad during his time in England, winning the Premier League and an FA Cup as well as the Carabao Cup. He was one of the best keepers in the league during that time.

However, he wanted to return to Madrid in 2018 and Chelsea had no choice but to sanction a cut-price sale because his contract was ending in 2019. Courtois had problems in his first season at the club but since then, he has made rapid strides to become one of the more solid glovemen in Spain.

Liverpool v Real Madrid – UEFA Champions League – Quarter Final – Second Leg – Anfield Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois in action during the UEFA Champions League match at Anfield, Liverpool. Picture date: Wednesday April 14, 2021. Photo credit: Peter Byrne/PA Wire.

As his current side gear up to take on his former side, the Belgian keeper opened up on his stay and exit from Chelsea.

‘It will be very nice to see a lot of familiar faces and I wish there was public at Stamford Bridge because there was a lot of happy moments I had there.
Even though maybe my departure wasn’t in the best way, or it was put that way, that it wasn’t the best way, I only have good memories. Two Premier Leagues, a lot of other trophies – I’m really happy to play them, but only one can be in the final and I hope it’s Real Madrid.’

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It will be good to see some of our former stars in action against us. Belgian duo Hazard and Courtois were influential figures at the club during their time at Chelsea. However, both have had different fortunes since making the move to Madrid.