Courtois Won’t Face Parent Club In Champions League Due To Loan Clause

By blue admin On Apr 11, 2014

Following yesterday’s victory over favourites Barcelona of Spain, it has been revealed that Atletico Madrid goalkeeper who has been on loan in the club for 3 seasons now is unlikely to face his parent club in this year’s Champions League.

According to the Daily Mail, the Belgian number one goalkeeper will be in goal even if his loan club is drawn against his parent club Chelsea in tomorrow’s draw. The loan agreement seems to have included a clause that forbids the keeper from manning the post should Atletico be drawn against Chelsea.

While this is not seen as good news for Atletico, who are making it through to the semi-final of the Champions League in 40 years; it is however great news for Chelsea who rate the Belgian international highly.

Enrique Cerezo, the president of Atletico Madrid told Spanish Radio Onda Cero that:

“A large sum of money’ would need to be paid by Atletico to Chelsea and that the club ‘would be unable to pay”

The English Newspaper (Daily Mail) further revealed that the said clause was inserted by Chelsea at the start of the season. The clause says that Atletico are expected to pay as much as €3 Million for each match the goalkeeper plays in. The Spanish club, which does not have the capacity to meet such a monetary demand because of their economic situation, may have resigned to fate.

Should the clause be found to be actually there in the loan contract with Atletico, it would be a big boost to the Blues who see Courtois as a stumbling block to their chances of winning the Champions League a second time in 3 seasons. The clause will also deprive the young goalkeeper an opportunity to play in a career-changing match.

Courtois is being touted as the potential replacement for Petr Cech, who has been Chelsea’s number one goalkeeper for several seasons now. His heroics this season and seasons before have continued to attract him to top European clubs. He also expected to be the main man in goal for his national team at this year’s World Cup in Brazil.