Sports
13:40, 07-Aug-2018
Chelsea goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois close to Real Madrid move
Updated
13:36, 10-Aug-2018
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Chelsea goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois failed to report for training at Chelsea on Monday as he tries to force through a move to Real Madrid.
The Belgium international had been due on August 6 at Chelsea’s training base. Instead, the 26-year-old is understood to have remained in Belgium while he awaits news of a prospective return to Spain with Real Madrid.
According to several Spanish media sources, Courtois has already agreed to personal terms with the La Liga giants and has no interest in remaining in England.
His compatriot Chelsea winger Eden Hazard has also been linked with a move to Real, but did attend training with the Blues on Monday.
Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri said he only wanted players “with a very high level of motivation” amid continuing uncertainty about the future of Courtois.
Thibaut Courtois (L) lifts the Emirates FA Cup trophy at Wembley Stadium on May 19, 2018. /VCG Photo
Thibaut Courtois (L) lifts the Emirates FA Cup trophy at Wembley Stadium on May 19, 2018. /VCG Photo
The Belgian’s agent Christophe Henrotay was quoted as saying his client was keen to leave Stamford Bridge, with Real Madrid touted as a possible destination during the transfer window, which closes on Thursday.
“I have no reaction to the agent, I am not interested,” said Sarri after suffering his first competitive loss as Chelsea manager in the 2-0 Community Shield defeat to Manchester City on Sunday.
The new manager has promised to put the fun back into Chelsea’s football but on Sunday’s evidence he has serious thinking to do first, and he vowed that everyone would work hard to ensure they were ready for the Premier League.
However, with Chelsea’s first game at Arsenal only a week away, he admitted he could not say how long it would take for the players to adjust to his methods.
“I don’t know. I arrived here three weeks ago and have only seen six players,” he said. “It is so very difficult. We have the idea to press, but sometimes they did not do it in the right way. We have the idea of being in control but today we were not.”
(With input from agencies)