Thibaut Courtois admits he feels "sad" about how some Chelsea fans have turned against him following his transfer to Real Madrid.
The 26-year-old was at Chelsea for seven seasons - though the first three were spent on loan at Atletico Madrid - before leaving for Real in a Β£35m deal over the summer.
The Belgium international revealed he made his decision to leave in March and explained that is part of the reason he delayed reporting back to Chelsea following the World Cup.
When asked about some Chelsea fans feeling angry about the manner of his exit, Courtois said: "It makes me feel sad and obviously they don't know all the truth.
"I think in March the decision was already made and I thought the club would accept it.
"Then because the transfer was closed I did not show up because I thought it better not to disturb the team and the squad.
"If I did go there maybe, I didn't want to be toxic, so obviously it is a pity because I love Chelsea.
"I loved playing there and I am happy to have won two Premier Leagues, a league cup and an FA Cup.
"Hopefully it will turn around."
Courtois recently claimed "the level [at Real Madrid] is higher than at Chelsea", but he says he never meant to disrespect his former club.
"Obviously you get some things in the media like I said there was not enough quality at Chelsea," Courtois said.
"I never meant that. I just said maybe in training it goes a little bit faster but that is also the quality of Real Madrid - that is not saying Chelsea does not have quality."
Courtois says a big factor in his decision to leave for Real was the opportunity to be closer to his two children, who live in Madrid with his ex-girlfriend, and he hopes Chelsea fans can understand that.
"I will always look back with a happy feeling to Chelsea," Courtois added. "I had a chance to go back to Spain to be closer to my kids. That was an important thing for me.
"I know that a lot of Chelsea fans will understand my decision. I wish them the best and I am happy to see that they have won their first four games and I hope they can go on and win the league."
madridsta_5199
272
deone5050
181
I was thinking about this courtios last night and I decide to do one video for him, this courtios is green snake in a green grass, his intentions was to bring us down this season but it's not gonna work, you love Chelsea but you want our best player Hazard to join you at Madrid. just live us alone and focus on Messi.
Itzfreeboy
133
Iβm still saying this,you will regret for leaving Chelsea
CFC_King
114
With all the negativity oozing out from your mouth since you left Chelsea FC??? This guy think he can take Chelsea fans for a ride...pls take your love and respect to where it's needed bro because "you don't eat your cake and still have it"
zisabkprst
88
I still respect him and love him cos he contributed a lot for our success recently, hope some fans can learn to respect a player's personal life and their decision instead of dissing him without knowing the full story smh
Sterzil
56
He broke the hearts of Chelsea fans π π π now he's at Madrid how many times has he appeared on the pitch??? am not trying to be rude but. I don't think he would get much of a playing time thus season that's the truth the only chances he would get would be in all these copa games but concerning the ucl navas for sure ...Enjoy your stay at Madrid not all players can take d decision u took it's a bold step in your career
AlexFabl
49
now he realized that he went to madrid only for caring his kids but not playing football coz he can't find a spot for starting 11 ! well done NAVAS u've got our prayers let him warm the benchπππ
hamza_chounaki
38
I was thinking about this courtios last night and I decide to do one video for him, this courtios is green snake in a green grass, his intentions was to bring us down this season but it's not gonna work, you love Chelsea but you want our best player Hazard to join you at Madrid. just live us alone and focus on Messi.
EnergeticTheory
32
Congrats on hiring a new publicist. ππ
Ladcilops
31
Very controversial man.
whykallar
27
What i believe here is, Courtois stil want to go back to his ex girlfriend, and she make him to understand "if you want us back together you must join real Madrid" simple propaganda and she been in touch with Perez to get some financial cuts, as she promised, she can make him join Madrid, but the sad thing about it now, the ex girlfriend is no more interested in him, so he end up been a loser, but he really love Chelsea, the problem is women rule men ππππ..
Taebdkouy
12
stop talking shit about Chelsea, u thought hazard was coming with u huh lol guess again
severely
12
[image]
Why do I have to come to Real Madrid? What have I done to Chelsea? Who am I, where am I?
Rahul120
10
how to say you are love Chelsea.? if you love Chelsea you will never leave and you give everything for Club till the end like Drogba, Terry, Lampard, Cech,... You think you join real Madrid and Hazard is also follow you.. But it's your crazy things because you're really shit π