Thibaut Courtois has admitted Chelsea are a "special" club and played a huge part in helping his career as the goalkeeper prepares to return to Stamford Bridge next week. The 29-year-old left the Blues in the summer of 2018 and signed for Real Madrid for just over £30million.
It's safe to say Courtois is not a popular man among Chelsea supporters. Prior to his departure from Stamford Bridge in the summer of 2018, the Belgian goalkeeper was prepared to push hard to leave the club with just one year remaining on his contract at the time.
Courtois refused to hold talks with Maurizio Sarri, Chelsea's manager at the time, and then failed to turn up to pre-season training after representing Belgium in the 2018 FIFA World Cup. The shot-stopper eventually got his way and moved to Real Madrid.
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Last season, Courtois faced Chelsea twice in the Champions League semi-final, with the goalkeeper on the losing side over the two legs, albeit in front of no supporters due to Covid restrictions at the time. Ahead of the first-leg last season, the Belgium international took the opportunity to aim a dig at his former club.
Speaking to Real Madrid TV, he said: "My presentation [after signing for Real Madrid] was one of the most beautiful moments of my life. Seeing the Champions League [trophies], the fans on the pitch were very happy moments.
"You feel very special and that is why it is the largest club in the world. I have not seen the way in which they present you in any other team. At Chelsea, it's a photo at the stadium, nothing else. To hear that you're a Real Madrid player is fantastic."
That did not go down well with Chelsea supporters, as you can imagine. Now, though, it appears Courtois is trying to make peace with the Blues' fanbase ahead of next week's quarter-final, first-leg at Stamford Bridge.
"It will be special," Courtois said on the reunion with Chelsea on his podcast, via Fichajes. "Last year, we lost in the semi-finals and I hope that this year there will be a victory.
"This year it will be different because it will be with the fans. This will be special and even if there are some whistles, I hope that people will remember the good times.
"We have won two leagues, an FA Cup... for me, Chelsea is a special team, they helped me to be the goalkeeper I am now. Chelsea bought me when I was 18 to go to Atletico, play in the Premier League and win it. It's an important team and I have a lot of friends there, it's always a pleasure to play against them."
