COURTOIS ANGERS CHELSEA FANS BY COURTING HAZARD
AS KEPA IS UNVEILED AT CHELSEA . . . . . . IT’S KISS ME QUICK AS COURTOIS FINDS HIS REAL LOVE IN MADRID
CHElSEA fans were furious yesterday when Thibaut Courtois spoke about Eden Hazard joining him at Real Madrid — minutes after completing his own £ 35million move to the Spanish side.
Courtois, who incensed his former supporters even more by kissing the Real Madrid badge, revealed Hazard had called to congratulate him.
‘He is happy that I have arrived because he knew it was my dream,’ said the Belgium international, who added: ‘He is a great player and if he could come here one day it would be fantastic.’
Asked if he had a final message for the Chelsea fans, Courtois said: ‘I know at the moment they are not too happy, but I hope they remember what was achieved. I needed a new challenge. Now I’m at a club that I have always wanted to be at. I don’t think I’ve ever kissed a badge before.’
Fans vented their anger at Courtois, Courtois who removed an Instagram post saying goodbye to the club after it provoked a furious reaction.
He was also criticised on Chelsea’s Twitter account, with one fan saying: ‘Goodbye, you won’t be missed’, and another said: ‘Good riddance’.
Former Blues skipper John Terry was also forced to disable comments on an Instagram post which praised the keeper. Chelsea legend Terry called Courtois ‘the best keeper in the world’ in the social media tribute, but he switched off the commen comment function on the post.
Back at Chelsea, new goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga insisted his £71.6million world record fee (for a goalkeeper) will not weigh heavily on him as he faces up to the challenge of replacing Courtois.
The Spain international is expected to go straight into Maurizio Sarri’s starting XI for the season opener against Huddersfield tomorrow, only three days after his arrival from Athletic Bilbao.
But the 23-year- old insisted: ‘It’s very brave for the club to sign me. In terms of the price, in terms of being the most expensive keeper in the world, it’s something I don’t think about.
‘I must be myself and try to give my best to the club. I don’t really think about the price.
‘I think Chelsea have made a great bet in taking me. I don’t think there will be additional pressure. The only pressure is the pressure I put on myself.’
Kepa has revealed he spoke to a number of his countrymen who have played in the Premier league — naming former liverpool keeper Pepe Reina as one who offered guidance.
His new manager Sarri prefers his goalkeepers to be comfortable in possession, part of the reason why Chelsea also explored a move for Everton and England No 1 Jordan Pickford.
Kepa, though, is convinced he was always Chelsea’s first choice and insists that he can be the ‘ sweeper keeper’ Sarri is looking for.
‘I came back from my holiday on July 23 and a few days into my training I knew about the interest from Chelsea,’ revealed Kepa.
‘There had been prior offers from Chelsea to Athletic, but Athletic didn’t take an interest. But I was aware of Chelsea’s interest for a few weeks.’
He added: ‘I think I will be able to adapt (to Sarri’s style). I find Sarri’s style and ideas very attractive. I have references about him from players like Pepe Reina, who knows him from Napoli.
‘He was very happy with him. On the other hand, Maurizio’s style is not unlike the style used by the Spanish national team, where I have played for many years. I don’t think it will be a problem.’