Belgian keeper Thibaut Courtois says Chelsea have lined him up to replace Petr Cech in two more years.
The 20-year-old joined Chelsea from Genk in 2011 but, with Cech in place, he was sent on loan to Atletico Madrid. Courtois has thrived in the Spanish capital, becoming one of the best goalkeepers in La Liga and this has led to speculation about his future. He has even been linked with the likes of Real Madrid and Barcelona, however, Courtois insists that Chelsea have no intention of selling him and there is a plan in place, which is likely to see him replacing Cech in 2015.
"Cech is one of the best goalkeepers in the world, and I think I am an up and coming young talent with the quality maybe also to play for Chelsea," he is quoted by the Evening Standard. "They will continue with Cech for two more years, I believe.
"The problem is I think that Chelsea didn't expect me to be at this level this soon. I've developed really quickly. It's a very good situation for Chelsea." It has been suggested that Courtois could be a bargaining chip for Chelsea to try and seal a deal for Atletico striker Radamel Falcao but he does not believe this is the case.
"A lot of things the press say are nonsense. They are guessing," he said. "They know Chelsea want Falcao but Chelsea have told me, 'The last thing we want to do is sell you'.
Maybe they are lying to me but I don't think so.
"It was strange joining Chelsea but when I signed for them I knew I would be loaned out to a team. They had a five-year plan for me.
"I only went to Chelsea to take my medical. I then went straight to Atletico and had a good year so I preferred to stay for another year."
Source: team_talk
