Chelsea’s on loan keeper Thibaut Courtois has continued his war-of-words with fellow Belgian goalkeeper Simon Mignolet, with the 21-year-old accusing the Liverpool keeper of being disrespectful of his status as Belgian number one.
Courtois, who is in his third season on loan at Atletico Madrid from Stamford Bridge, took exception to Mignolet’s public wish to displace him as the national team keeper last month.
“If someone says that he is unfairly left out of the Red Devils’ goal, I see that as an attack,” Courtois told Sport/Foot Magazine (quoted by the Daily Express),
“It shows that you do not accept the coach’s current choice and at the same time that you show no respect for the current number one.
“But I do not want my statements to be taken wrongly, as they were last time.
“Then it sounded like I said Mignolet must show no ambition. That’s not true.
“I understand that he has the ambition of becoming the number one for Belgium. I only say you should also respect those who play.”
Courtois was in action for Atletico last night during his side’s 1-0 win in the San Siro over AC Milan, with goalscorer Diego Costa praising the 21-year-old after his performance, which included a stunning save that has gone viral,
“Courtois is one of the best goalkeepers in the world and he knows it,” Costa told UEFA’s website after the match.
“With a keeper like him, we feel more secure.”
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