Thibaut Courtois has warned Chelsea that he is not prepared to be a back-up to keeper Petr Cech when his loan spell at Atletico Madrid ends next year.

Courtois is currently spending his third successive season on loan with the La Liga club having joined Chelsea from Genk for £7m in 2011.

The Belgium international’s future is becoming one of increasing concern for the Blues as he will only have two years left on his contract come the summer and is already being targeted by a number of clubs, including Barcelona.

Cech, 31, who has been Chelsea’s first choice keeper since joining from Rennes for £7m in 2004, only signed a new four-year deal in 2012.

Courtois is certainly not keen on coming back to Stamford Bridge to be considered second best. When asked about his future, he said: “I want to play, I will not be sitting on the bench.

“At Atletico I feel great and being here allows me to play in the Champions League. I’ve grown a lot at Atletico, especially last season when we won the European Super Cup and the Copa del Rey.

“I’ve made great progress, especially in terms of speed, reflexes and experience. I am in my best form and I feel like I am among the five best goalkeepers in the world.”

Jose Mourinho, who returned to Chelsea as manager in the summer, is a huge admirer of both keepers having worked with Cech in his first spell between 2004-7 and seen Courtois in action while in charge of rivals Real Madrid.

A decision on Courtois’s future will have to be made in the new year, especially if the Belgian doesn’t feel like he has a chance of first team football at Stamford Bridge.

He is unlikely to sign a contract extension in that situation and Chelsea will be in danger of seeing the potential of receiving a large transfer fee diminish.

Meanwhile, out of favour Chelsea midfielder Kevin de Bruyne has said he has no qualms about his drastic slide down the pecking order at Stamford Bridge.

"Of course not. I really don't worry. You make it more of a problem than I do," said De Bruyne.

"Mourinho is the boss, he chooses who plays. We do not talk about it really, no. He tells me when I do something bad, but frankly I haven't heard such negative comments.

"I chose to stay (rather than go on loan again) and I have no regrets. Still, Willian then came in at the last minute, which was a bit difficult, but I continue to fight hard.

"My chance will come. I'm really not concerned about finding a solution in January. That we will have to see."





