Courtois will play against Chelsea, says Atletico president

Courtois will play against Chelsea, says Atletico president

Published Apr. 14, 2014 7:05 a.m. ET

Atletico Madrid president Enrique Cerezo wants Thibaut Courtois on loan for a fourth year and is "convinced" the goalkeeper will face Chelsea.

Before the semi-final draw, Cerezo revealed that their loan agreement with Chelsea for Courtois included a clause which meant they would have to pay the English club in the region of £4million per game.

He stated that Atletico could not afford such a deal, so Courtois would probably not play - but then UEFA reacted by issuing a statement saying any such clause was not enforceable by Chelsea, so the Belgian could play with no cost to Atletico.

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However, with Atletico looking to extend Courtois' stay at the Vicente Calderon for another season - they are seemingly only willing to play him with Chelsea's blessing, although their chief executive Ron Gourlay has already stated that they are happy to let him feature.

"I do not know how many times I have to repeat this, Courtois is a Chelsea player loaned to Atletico Madrid this season and we're trying to get them to give him to us for another season," he told reporters before Sunday's game with Getafe.

"If we reach agreement with Chelsea he will play, because he is a Chelsea player and we are gentlemen and we deliver on what we sign.

"I am convinced that he will play because there will be an agreement between Atletico Madrid, Chelsea and the goalkeeper.

"And if in the end he does not play, then Aranzubia [number two goalkeeper] will do it. "

Atletico host Chelsea in the first leg on April 22, before the return at Stamford Bridge eight days later.

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