Thibaut Courtois

“It was strange joining Chelsea, but when I signed, I knew I would be loaned out to a team. They had, like, a five-year plan for me.”

“A lot of things the press say are nonsense.”

“I consider myself half Spanish.”

“It is difficult to begin with Atletico, because there is pressure from the fans, because they are accustomed to a very good goalkeeper, but I have no fear of that. I play my game.”

“If the coach on the sidelines is not that strong, transmitting the kind of spirit he has, players won't always handle it well. Life becomes difficult. But, with Mourinho, everything is good. He knows when to be among his players, as 'one of us' making jokes as a friend, and when to be strong and distant, even severe.”

“There is no reason not to be happy at Chelsea.”

“Atletico was a real group of friends. We went out together, and my teammates taught me a language I did not know at all when I arrived. When I left, I cried.”

“If you want to have that winning feeling, it's best to keep on winning.”

“Yes, my heart is in Madrid.”

“My personal situation is related to the city of Madrid. My two children live there with their mum.”

“I have made a lot of progress, above all in speed, reflexes, and experience.”

“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.”

“The weakest point is between the legs for a goalkeeper.”

“Nobody is guaranteed to be a starter; thinking that would be a mistake.”

“For Buffon, I hear he trains less on the field, and he is more focused on keeping his muscles strong.”

“As a player, you always want to win prizes.”

“Everybody wants to play in Europe, and if you're in the rhythm of playing a game every three or four days, sometimes you can play better, even though it's harder at the end of the season.”

“With what I've already achieved in my career - winning trophies and playing in finals, important matches against Real Madrid and Barcelona, winning the Europa League and the Super Cup, and in the Champions League - sometimes you've earned the right to say something.”

“For goalkeepers, the better years, they say, come from the age of 27 or 28.”

“Madrid and London are great.”