Chelsea
goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois has set his sights on a domestic and European
double in his first full season at the club.
The Belgium international came agonisingly close to the feat last season in
Spain with Atletico Madrid.
Courtois played a key role for Diego Simeone’s side as they defied the odds
to beat giants Barcelona and Real Madrid to the La Liga title.
A famous double was on the cards, with Los Rojiblancos coming within seconds
of winning the Champions League against Real – only for Sergio Ramos’
stoppage-time header to level proceedings and allow their city rivals to go
on and win 4-1 in extra-time.
Since his return to Stamford Bridge, which brought an end to his three-year
loan spell with Atletico, the 22-year-old has helped Chelsea make a
blistering start to both their domestic and European campaigns.
Quality
The Blues sit top the Premier League, unbeaten after nine games and four
points ahead of second-placed Southampton. They also lead their Champions
League group with seven points from a possible nine.
Courtois, who has established himself as Chelsea's first-choice keeper since
his arrival, believes the double is achievable for Jose Mourinho's runaway
league leaders - citing their strength in depth as jutstification.
"We have the quality to reach the Champions League, and to win it but
there's other strong teams - Bayern, Barcelona, Madrid - so you need a
little bit of luck not to play against them before the final," Courtois
said.
"We have the team to win the Champions League. So hopefully we could win
both. Obviously, we have a very strong team to do it, not only 11 players
but a very strong bench and even players who fell out of the team
sometimes.”
Preference
Asked for which trophy he would prefer get his hands on, Courtois would not
be drawn on his choice and instead challenged his team-mates to claim the
most coverted prizes in the English and European football.
"The Premier League would be really nice to win. I played the Champions
League final last year so I want revenge for that (defeat) and win the
Champions League," he added.
"To be Premier League champions you are the best team from 20 teams all
season. If you play against City, United, Liverpool, Arsenal - if you are
champions of the Premier League it is a really nice trophy.
"I'd rather have both, but if I had to choose, maybe the Premier League now
and another year the Champions League."
top