Chelsea look all set to miss Thibaut Courtois next season, as the goalkeeper currently on loan at Atletico Madrid, wishes to stay in Spain to play regular football, rather than to sit on the bench at Stamford Bridge.

The Blues have regular Czech Republic keeper Petr Cech, who has been a loyal servant for the club, having played 291 Barclays Premier League matches since signing from Rennes in 2004. Cech has been renowned as one of the best goalkeepers in the world throughout his stint at Stamford Bridge, and at the age of 30, he has a minimum of four years of his prime left.

Courtois was signed by Chelsea from Racing Genk in 2011, when the club won the race with many others were interested in the young keeper’s talent. He was signed by the club as a future replacement for Cech, and to give him appropriate experience, loaned him to Atletico, where he has gained the reputation as a prolific shot-stopper.

In March 2013, Courtois set a club record of 820 minutes without conceding a goal, a terrific feat for a 21-year old goalkeeper. The Belgian has seen managers change since 2011, and still feels that moving back to Chelsea will not serve to help his career progress.

Cech is not only a consistent keeper, but also a fan favorite whom Mourinho has managed, hence, the manager’s imminent return to Stamford Bridge is not particularly good news for the young keeper.

Courtois once again impressed the media, fans and experts when he bravely defended his side in the 1-2 win in the Copa del Rey final against Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu. His saves were the difference why Real did not score more goals and win, and surely the board at Chelsea did notice the same.

According to Sky Sports, Courtois said, “I know Chelsea are a fair club. The board are smart people and know I need to play.”

“I like the Chelsea project with young players very much.”

“In two or three years Chelsea will have a team to win everything.”

“I want to stay. I’d rather play in La Liga than be a substitute in the Premier League.”

“There’s a World Cup and I want to go. Here I will be able to play in the Champions League and there’s no better place to play than here. At Atletico I have progressed a lot.”