Thibaut Courtois to Decide on Chelsea Future Before the World Cup

Chelsea goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois has reiterated his intention to remain with the club next season, but he said he wants to have made a decision on his long-term future at Stamford Bridge before the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

He told Belgian outlet Sporza (h/t Goal's Chris Burton):

"If I go to the World Cup with a clear idea, sign or wait another year, then I have a clear head at the tournament.

"I am still proud to play at Chelsea and I want to achieve success. I have one year [left on my] contract and feel good at Chelsea, at the end of the season we will sit down together and set out a vision.

"I know that I will be at Chelsea next year as well."

According to Burton, Courtois has been repeatedly linked with a move to Real Madrid and has spoken before of his desire to return to the Spanish capital, having played for Atletico Madrid on loan from the Blues.

He has also been targeted by Paris Saint-Germain, per Belgian football journalist Kristof Terreur:

Courtois is one of Europe's top goalkeepers, though he has perhaps never quite reached the same heights at Stamford Bridge that he achieved with Atletico. He kept 76 clean sheets in 154 matches for the club and won La Liga, the Copa del Rey and the UEFA Europa League.

The 25-year-old also had a night to forget when Chelsea played Barcelona in the Champions League earlier in March, as he twice allowed Lionel Messi to score through his legs among other errors.

Football journalists Dan Levene and Liam Twomey remarked on his struggles:

His performance in the UEFA Champions League clash could be a concern to his suitors, although he would still represent an upgrade on either Real's Keylor Navas or PSG's Alphonse Areola.

Courtois' contract expires at the end of next season, and he evidently intends to see it out at the least. If he does not sign a new deal, the club would receive no transfer fee for him upon his exit.

That will do Chelsea few favours, even if it means getting another year out of him, so they may be better off selling him this summer if he is not prepared to sign a new contract.