Courtois leaves door open to Chelsea return

The Belgium goalkeeper has spent the past three seasons on loan at Atletico Madrid and says he loves living in the city, but suggested a move back to London could be best

Thibaut Courtois has hinted that he could return to Chelsea after this summer's World Cup in Brazil.

The Belgium goalkeeper has spent the past three seasons on loan at Atletico Madrid and played a pivotal role in the club's success in 2013-14, with Diego Simeone's men winning La Liga and reaching the Champions League final.

Courtois played against his parent club in the semi-final of Europe's elite club competition and later said that he does not have an “emotional connection” with the Londoners, though he has now hinted that a move back to Stamford Bridge could be better for him in sporting terms.

“We will talk after the World Cup, we’ll talk with Chelsea," he told Cuatro. "I’m very comfortable here, I love living here, but at times you have to think about the sporting aspect.

“We’ll see what happens, I can’t say right now. First the World Cup.”

It had been suggested that Courtois went to see his team-mates to bid farewell after the Champions League final, but the 22-year-old ruled that out: “I’ve not said any goodbyes, I went to the bench to do some things."

Courtois is expected to start for Belgium in Brazil, ahead of Liverpool's Simon Mignolet, with the Red Devils set to face Algeria, Russia and South Korea in Group H.