Thibaut Courtois is the latest Chelsea
cover star, and in the feature interview with the club’s magazine this
month he discusses his childhood, life as a goalkeeper at Chelsea and
the significance of the collective.
Following three seasons on loan at Atletico Madrid in La Liga, Courtois has had an excellent first season at Stamford Bridge, impressing Blues supporters with his aerial dominance and shot-stopping ability.
At the age of just 22, Courtois has already won plenty in the world of football but as he explains to the club magazine – available now in digital and print format – his hunger to keep lifting trophies remains as strong as ever.
‘Last season, I was part of a team who lost the Champions League in the last minute, so that’s something I still want to win, and to be able to play for a Premier League title every season is also a big motivation,’ he says.
‘To win a European Championship or a World Cup with Belgium is another goal. But, it is true, when I was a young kid I dreamed of playing in finals and it’s nice to have won the Europa League and Super Cup, and won a final against Real Madrid, but hopefully I can achieve much more now.
‘Every year I’ve won one trophy, so it’s nice we won the one at Wembley. But, of course, the Premier League would be much bigger so hopefully we can add that this season.
‘It’s nice to get individually recognised, but you only do that if your team is doing well. Of course, if the goalkeeper is playing well, then it helps the team also to get trophies – but football is a collective sport, so I would give up all my individual trophies to be able to win a Premier League, Champions League or a World Cup. The team victories and trophies are always more important than the individual ones.’
With much of the focus of our season so far centred on the attacking play of the team, it is easy to forget the good work done by the defence. We have conceded the second fewest goals in the league and, between Courtois and Petr Cech, kept the second highest amount of clean sheets.
Following three seasons on loan at Atletico Madrid in La Liga, Courtois has had an excellent first season at Stamford Bridge, impressing Blues supporters with his aerial dominance and shot-stopping ability.
At the age of just 22, Courtois has already won plenty in the world of football but as he explains to the club magazine – available now in digital and print format – his hunger to keep lifting trophies remains as strong as ever.
‘Last season, I was part of a team who lost the Champions League in the last minute, so that’s something I still want to win, and to be able to play for a Premier League title every season is also a big motivation,’ he says.
‘To win a European Championship or a World Cup with Belgium is another goal. But, it is true, when I was a young kid I dreamed of playing in finals and it’s nice to have won the Europa League and Super Cup, and won a final against Real Madrid, but hopefully I can achieve much more now.
‘Every year I’ve won one trophy, so it’s nice we won the one at Wembley. But, of course, the Premier League would be much bigger so hopefully we can add that this season.
‘It’s nice to get individually recognised, but you only do that if your team is doing well. Of course, if the goalkeeper is playing well, then it helps the team also to get trophies – but football is a collective sport, so I would give up all my individual trophies to be able to win a Premier League, Champions League or a World Cup. The team victories and trophies are always more important than the individual ones.’
With much of the focus of our season so far centred on the attacking play of the team, it is easy to forget the good work done by the defence. We have conceded the second fewest goals in the league and, between Courtois and Petr Cech, kept the second highest amount of clean sheets.
Courtois explains what it is like being
between the sticks at a club who spend most of the time in the
opposition half of the pitch.
‘I think it’s true that, if you play for a top team to win championships, the goalkeeper has to interfere less and there are always players who shine more in the team, like the strikers,’ he notes.
‘As a goalkeeper, you might only have to make one or two saves a game – but sometimes really important ones – so, of course, it’s nice that people see it and recognise it.
‘The concentration as a goalkeeper needs to be very high. We work on the focus in training and it’s good because, in big teams, one save maybe in minute 88 can be decisive, so it’s very important.’
Khaki Cup Final remembered
Ahead of the 100th anniversary of our first ever appearance in an FA Cup final, Chelsea looks back on the only such occasion that took place during the First World War.
‘I think it’s true that, if you play for a top team to win championships, the goalkeeper has to interfere less and there are always players who shine more in the team, like the strikers,’ he notes.
‘As a goalkeeper, you might only have to make one or two saves a game – but sometimes really important ones – so, of course, it’s nice that people see it and recognise it.
‘The concentration as a goalkeeper needs to be very high. We work on the focus in training and it’s good because, in big teams, one save maybe in minute 88 can be decisive, so it’s very important.’
Khaki Cup Final remembered
Ahead of the 100th anniversary of our first ever appearance in an FA Cup final, Chelsea looks back on the only such occasion that took place during the First World War.
Our run to the final is detailed along with
the final itself, a sombre occasion played in front of thousands of
uniformed servicemen and women at an overcast Old Trafford. Though
neither the result nor the performance were memorable, the Khaki Cup
Final remains a significant part of our 110-year history and you can
find everything out about the special occasion in Chelsea.
The making of Willian
In the latest ‘Anatomy of a Pro’, Willian charts his rise to the top of the game, along the way recalling watching his country win the 1994 World Cup, working with an important coach at Corinthians and revealing his mindset on matchday.
The making of Willian
In the latest ‘Anatomy of a Pro’, Willian charts his rise to the top of the game, along the way recalling watching his country win the 1994 World Cup, working with an important coach at Corinthians and revealing his mindset on matchday.
This month’s Photo Album celebrates the 60th anniversary of our maiden title triumph, while in ‘One of Us’, Sky Sports News presenter Olivia Wayne outlines her love for the Blues.
Kenny Swain was ‘Once a Blue’ and experienced plenty of highs and lows during his time at Stamford Bridge in the mid-1970s. He remembers shunning a career as a PE teacher to pursue a life in the game, playing alongside his best friend Steve Finnieston and an extraordinary tale about his European Cup winners’ medal.
Fan interaction
Supporters have plenty of chances to get involved in the latest mag, with the newest position of the Cult XI available for selection up front. You can choose the first striker in the 4-4-2 formation by contacting the magazine via post or email.
You can also be a part of the magazine’s ‘Message Board’ by sending in a photograph and explaining why the club means so much to you, while there is an opportunity to test your knowledge of the club in this month’s quiz.
The latest edition of Chelsea, priced £3.25, is available from the Stamford Bridge Megastore and all good newsagents.
Post a Comment