The level in Real Madrid training is higher than at Chelsea – Thibaut Courtois

Thibaut Courtois has thrown shade at former club Chelsea by suggesting the level of training at new club Real Madrid is “higher” than anything he’s experienced with the London club.

The 26-year-old Belgian goalkeeper recently swapped Stamford Bridge for Los Blancos, thus ending a seven-year association with the west London club.

He recently made his debut in Real’s league win over CD Leganés, conceding in a 4-1 home victory, and, since joining the 13-time European champions, Courtois has been nothing short of impressed by the experience which is significantly different from his time at the Blues.

“In training, you see that the level at Real Madrid is high,” he told Het Nieuwsblad.

“I am now experiencing on a daily basis that Ramos is the best centre-back in the world. The level at Real Madrid is higher than at Chelsea.”

Bernabeu vs Stamford Bridge

Courtois initially joined the Blues from Belgian side KRC Genk in 2011 but was immediately loaned to Atletico Madrid, where he enjoyed a three-season spell, winning a La Liga title, a Copa del Rey, Europa League and a European Super Cup.

He returned to the Bridge ahead of the 2014/15 season, and immediately won the Premier League with the Blues. He went on to make 154 appearances for the club, securing two league titles, an FA Cup and a League Cup.

Across those matches, the Belgian international has managed to keep 58 clean sheets, while conceding 152 goals (or once every 90.8 minutes).

Playing at the west London venue, in his opinion, is a stark contrast to his new home.

“[The Bernabeu is] twice as big [as Stamford Bridge], of course, it’s a very different feeling,” he added.

“If you look forward, you only see a wall of people, while at Stamford Bridge you can still see the sky or the hotel behind the grandstand.”

Real’s stadium, inaugurated in 1947 and named after the club’s legendary president Santiago Bernabéu, currently holds a maximum capacity of 81,044 which is nearly double that of Stamford Bridge (41,631).

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