Agent reveals how Chelsea could have retained key player

Chelsea underwent major changes over the course of the summer, which included a shake-up in their options between the sticks.

Belgium international Thibaut Courtois completed a move to join Real Madrid, with Chelsea subsequently then spending a world-record fee on a goalkeeper to land Kepa Arrizabalaga from Athletic Bilbao as his replacement.

Courtois won a number of honours during his time at Stamford Bridge but was on the receiving end of the fan’s wrath as he forced an exit to the Spanish capital by refusing to return to club training last week.

A major reason behind Courtois’ move to Madrid was to be with his family, who still lived in the capital following his seasons with Atletico, and his agent has now suggested he would have stayed with London if that is where his family was located.

In an interview with BBC Radio 5 Live, Christophe Henrotay said:

“The situation would’ve been different had his family lived in London. He would’ve stayed there, in fact. There’s just no reason to leave a club like Chelsea where he could’ve kept winning titles.

“Unfortunately, his children live with their mother in Madrid. These are personal reasons we’re talking about and we just have to respect them. Chelsea understood the situation and made the deal possible.

“It’s true that some players force their way out and it’s also true that Thibaut was getting anxious about the whole situation because Madrid made an offer for him and he had a chance to go there. He had anxiety thinking that the whole deal was not going to work.”