Thibaut Courtois admits he feels "sad" about
how some Chelsea fans have turned against
him following his transfer to Real Madrid.
The 26-year-old was at Chelsea for seven
seasons - though the first three were spent on
loan at Atletico Madrid - before leaving for
Real in a £35m deal over the summer.
The Belgium international revealed he made
his decision to leave in March and explained
that is part of the reason he delayed reporting
back to Chelsea following the World Cup.
When asked about some Chelsea fans feeling
angry about the manner of his exit, Courtois
said: "It makes me feel sad and obviously they
don't know all the truth.
"I think in March the decision was already
made and I thought the club would accept it.
"Then because the transfer was closed I did
not show up because I thought it better not to
disturb the team and the squad.
"If I did go there maybe, I didn't want to be
toxic, so obviously it is a pity because I love
Chelsea.
"I loved playing there and I am happy to have
won two Premier Leagues, a league cup and
an FA Cup.
"Hopefully it will turn around."
Courtois recently claimed "the level [at Real
Madrid] is higher than at Chelsea", but he says
he never meant to disrespect his former club.
"Obviously you get some things in the media
like I said there was not enough quality at
Chelsea," Courtois said.
"I never meant that. I just said maybe in
training it goes a little bit faster but that is
also
the quality of Real Madrid - that is not saying
Chelsea does not have quality."
Courtois says a big factor in his decision to
leave for Real was the opportunity to be closer
to his two children, who live in Madrid with his
ex-girlfriend, and he hopes Chelsea fans can
understand that.
"I will always look back with a happy feeling to
Chelsea," Courtois added. "I had a chance to
go back to Spain to be closer to my kids. That
was an important thing for me.
"I know that a lot of Chelsea fans will
understand my decision. I wish them the best
and I am happy to see that they have won their
first four games and I hope they can go on
and win the league."
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