Chelsea Hold Atletico and Eye Final Spot as Courtois Contract Rumours Emerge
Chelsea took a significant step toward the UEFA Champions League final on Tuesday evening, holding Atletico Madrid to a 0-0 draw in the first leg of their semi-final clash at the Vicente Calderón.
While the scoreline remained goalless, many observers believe the result favours José Mourinho’s side, who will now look to capitalise on home advantage in the return leg at Stamford Bridge.
The London club’s disciplined defensive display frustrated an energetic Atletico side, with Chelsea managing to limit the hosts to few clear-cut chances. Despite the absences of key players and an early injury to goalkeeper Petr Cech, the Blues emerged with a clean sheet and a valuable away result.
Meanwhile, attention also turned to Chelsea’s on-loan goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, who started in goal for Atletico against his parent club. Reports from the Daily Mail have suggested that the Belgian international has agreed to a new deal with Chelsea that will see him earn a reported €213,000 per week, with the contract set to run until 2018.
Courtois, who joined Chelsea from Genk in 2011 before being loaned to Atletico, has established himself as one of Europe’s most highly rated young goalkeepers. His future at Stamford Bridge has been the subject of much speculation, particularly with Chelsea veteran Petr Cech potentially facing a long-term injury.
Courtois’s agent, Christophe Henrotay, declined to confirm the figures, stating: “We will talk after the semi-finals. The player is fully focused on this match.”
With Chelsea now slight favourites heading into the second leg in London, all eyes will be on how Mourinho manages his squad amid injuries and rising expectations. Should the Blues progress, it would mark their first Champions League final appearance since their 2012 triumph in Munich.
