No easy choices as Courtois opens up about Chelsea contract situation, dilemma

Courtois’s contract situation is a growing concern, with the goalkeeper entering the final 18 months of the deal he signed in 2014 and looking likely to not sign a new deal until the summer, at which point rumors of an exit will undoubtedly reach a new crescendo.

But in a recent interview with VTM Nieuws in Belgium, Courtois has made it clear that nothing is set in stone, and that while there are conflicting influences in his life, he’s by no means discontent at Chelsea or actively looking to leave (or at least right now). Most importantly, he’s also said that he wants clarity on his situation and before the end of the season, even.

“I am happy here. I like playing for the club, I like London. My private situation is always gnawing a little bit, but for the rest I’m feeling very good at Chelsea. I don’t see any reason why I won’t sign a new deal. I just want to consider all options. Everything has to be right.

“It’s not the right moment to make hasty decisions. Not for Chelsea, not for me. Within a couple of months we will sit around the table again and talk openly. There’s no pressure, apart from the media. The club knows that too. Basically I want an agreement before the end of the season.”

Previous stories have claimed that Courtois’ wage demands are the biggest sticking point — he supposedly wants parity with De Gea at around £200k per week — but the money is just one consideration.

“It (being away from my children) is not always easy, but I’d also seen this coming. I knew that she (my ex-girlfriend) would return to Madrid, so that has its influence too. I love my children to death. When you miss them, you are sometimes wondering: shouldn’t I play in Spain in the next few years? That’s why I want to take my time to make a decision on that contract extension.”

“In the media they’re always talking about money. I’m not denying that it plays a role, but everything has to be in its right place. If I sign a new contract, I will want to say to Chelsea: Look, I commit myself for an ‘X’ amount of years.”

-Thibaut Courtois; source: VTM Nieuws via The Sports Bank

I’m not sure any of this stance is at all new, but it’s the clearest that Courtois has addressed the transfer and contract rumors since they started. Clearly, there are big decisions to be made on either side of the negotiating table; hopefully we all make the right ones.