Monday 16 June 2014 10:41, UK
Belgium goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois has refused to speculate on his future after rumours he could join his national team-mate Eden Hazard and return to Chelsea next season.
Courtois has spent the past three seasons on loan at Atletico Madrid from Chelsea, making 111 appearances for the newly-crowned Spanish champions in total.
The 22-year-old has never made a first-team appearance for the Blues since his move from Belgian side Genk in 2011.
Courtois said: “I will not talk about my future, this is not the time to talk about that.
"I’m here with the national team and we’re concentrating on the World Cup and not on my personal life.
“I will make a decision after the World Cup and then everything will be clear."
Courtois held talks with Jose Mourinho last summer, before deciding to spend another year on loan in Madrid.
The 22-year-old revealed the pair have recently held further talks about his future.
He said: “I spoke with him [Mourinho] in May, before the game against Barcelona. He discussed what he thinks about me and everything.”
The La Liga winner and Champions League finalist is keeping Liverpool’s Simon Mignolet on the Belgian bench and will expect first-team football next season.
With my age and the performances I’ve had, I want to play. To be on the bench is not the nicest thing.
“With my age and the performances I’ve had, I want to play. To be on the bench is not the nicest thing,” he added.
Belgium are preparing for their opening Group H game against Algeria on Tuesday. The star-studded side includes Hazard, Vincent Kompany, Adnan Januzaj and Romelu Lukaku, who has recovered from an injury scare to train with the squad for the first time.
Courtois said: “Playing in the Champions League final was great and now to be at a World Cup, it’s amazing, so hopefully we can achieve some nice things here.”
