Conte rules out Madrid return for Thibaut Courtois
Antonio Conte is adamant Chelsea goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois won't be allowed to leave despite reports of interest from Real Madrid. Arsenal-Chelsea live
Antonio Conte is adamant Chelsea goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois won't be allowed to leave despite reports of interest from Real Madrid.
Courtois is said to be high on Real's list of potential signings in 2017, but with the transfer window due to reopen on January 1, Blues boss Conte was quick to rule out any chance of a deal for the Belgium international.
The 24-year-old spent three years on loan from Chelsea at Atletico Madrid before displacing Petr Cech as Chelsea's first-choice goalkeeper and has close ties with the city including a daughter who still lives there.
No return to Madrid for Courtois
Speaking to reporters on Friday, Conte made it clear there would be no return to Madrid for Courtois.
"He stays with us and this is the most important thing. The other situations are only speculation," Conte said.
"Thibaut is, for me, one of the best - if not the best - goalkeepers in the world.
"This season he's playing very well, and you can see that he's not only very good with his hands but also with his feet. Yes, I think he's a complete goalkeeper. He's a model goalkeeper."
With Courtois in goal, Premier League leaders Chelsea have conceded just twice and scored 28 times in a 12-game winning run ahead of Saturday's clash with Stoke.