Thibaut Courtois admitted he is saddened by the hostility he has experienced from Chelsea supporters since leaving Stamford Bridge to join Real Madrid.
A large section of Chelsea fans turned against Courtois when he refused to report for preseason training in an attempt to force through the move, which in turn forced the Blues to scramble in search of a replacement No. 1 goalkeeper before the Premier League transfer deadline.
Kepa Arrizabalaga’s arrival at Stamford Bridge as the world’s most expensive goalkeeper in a £71.5 million move from Athletic Bilbao eventually paved the way for Courtois to return to the Spanish capital, where he spent the first three years of his Chelsea career on loan with Atletico Madrid.
Courtois has always insisted that his desire to live in Madrid was motivated primarily by his wish to be closer to his two daughters, and hopes the ill-feeling towards him will subside over time.
“It makes me feel sad and obviously they don’t know all the truth,” he said. “I think in March the decision was already made and I thought the club would accept it.
“Then because the transfer was closed I did not show up because I thought it better not to disturb the team and the squad.
“If I did go there maybe, I didn’t want to be toxic, so obviously it is a pity because I love Chelsea. I loved playing there and I am happy to have won two Premier Leagues, a League Cup and an FA Cup.
“Hopefully it will turn around.”
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