Chelsea coach decision could force Courtois sale

Mark Holmes
Thibaut Courtois: Pulled no punches in assessment of Chelsea's season

Chelsea’s refusal to replace Christophe Lollichon as goalkeeping coach could force them into selling unhappy Thibaut Courtois, it is claimed.

Courtois is unhappy working with Lollichon, according to The Sun, and is said to have told incoming Chelsea boss Antonio Conte he only wanted to remain at Stamford Bridge if he could work with a new coach.

Conte, however, has apparently been told by his new bosses that Lollichon’s position is not up for discussion despite the wishes of Courtois, leaving the Italian to resign himself to the fact he will be forced to sell the club’s first-choice goalkeeper in his first summer in charge.

Courtois is not interested in a move to Paris Saint-Germain, the newspaper says, but would be happy to return to Spain.

However, Atletico Madrid are unlikely to meet Chelsea’s £50million valuation even if they would like to re-sign the Belgium No.1, while Real Madrid president Florentino Perez has made Manchester United’s David De Gea his prime target.