<
>

Chelsea's Thibaut Courtois unlikely to end career at Stamford Bridge

Chelsea goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois has said he does not think he will end his career at Stamford Bridge and would be happy to play for many of Europe's elite clubs.

Speculation has surrounded the future of the Belgium international for months after Chelsea's disappointing season and tensions with goalkeeping coach Christophe Lollichon.

Earlier this week, it was reported that Chelsea are looking to hire Italy goalkeeping coach Gianluca Spinelli to work with Courtois in place of Lollichon, who could follow Petr Cech to Arsenal.

Chelsea hope Courtois can enjoy a similarly lengthy spell at Chelsea to Cech -- who stayed for 11 years before joining the Gunners last summer -- but he told Belgian website Sporza: "It's hard to say. I don't think I will end my career [at Chelsea].

"I didn't have [a favourite club growing up]. In Spain I watched a lot of Madrid and Barca. In Germany I watched Bayern and Dortmund, in England, Arsenal, Manchester United and Chelsea, and in Italy Juventus and Milan.

"There wasn't one favourite, but I always wanted to play at those clubs. I don't necessarily have a desire to play there. I'm already at a beautiful club, Chelsea which I always admired, but we will see."

Real Madrid are widely reported to be the club most interested in signing Courtois, but last month the Belgian told Spanish radio station Onda Cero that he expected to stay at Chelsea this summer.

That means Asmir Begovic is expected to leave Stamford Bridge in search of more regular first-team football, while reports have linked Chelsea with a move for outgoing Marseille goalkeeper Steve Mandanda as replacement No.2 goalkeeper.