Thibaut Courtois Quotes

Arsenal have a history of bringing through youngsters, giving them opportunities, and turning them into world-class players.

Me being at Coventry, instead of a big Premier League club, probably helped me develop. You don't get put in the academy system, playing Under-18s and Under-23s.

Liverpool give young players a good opportunity.

If you become their property it is much clearer for you, for the club, for everything. It was a great experience to play in three different teams, different leagues, different experiences, but if I wanted to improve I had to break this cycle and make my own way. That's why I signed this contract to come to Stoke.

I actually had the chance to sign for Newcastle before I went to West Ham; I didn't in the end because they had got rid of their reserve team. There were a few clubs interested but I liked what West Ham had to offer and never regretted signing for them, I loved it straight away.

You don't have to be too clever to know that if Barcelona loaned me to another team, it's because they have little interest in me.

Newcastle was tough - the manager who'd signed me, Bobby Robson, got sacked three games into the season, so a new manager arrived, and I ended up going on loan again, to Aston Villa.

The lowest period was when I was with Tottenham, and they loaned me out to Dulwich Hamlet.

I've played for England Under-21s, in the Under-20 World Cup and I've been part of the play-offs in the Championship. But in terms of helping my career and getting me ready, going to Cheltenham Town was a massive experience.

The wrong team wanted me, by the way - of course United. I spoke with Van Gaal, and they even made an offer, but for me, it was not the right club and not the right moment.

I had other interesting offers, but for me, it had to be a top club. When you look at Arsenal, with a fantastic manager, good environment, and never any bad press surrounding the club, they are playing attractive football and have a great stadium with great fans.

Ajax have a tradition of good football and play 4-3-3, which suits me. They also spend lots of money on youth players with the aim of putting them in the first team.

When I was at Liverpool, I asked about Van Dijk when he was at Groningen and then at Celtic. But I was told he wouldn't be for us at the time. Van Dijk could have jumped from Celtic to a Liverpool.

With Arsenal there was an interest but not a big as other clubs. That is why I didn't go to Arsenal and went to Chelsea.

But I like Harry Kane's robustness and where Harry Kane's come from as well. He dropped down into the lower leagues and learnt his trade on loan.

In 2006 I ended up at Chelsea on a free transfer, so Bayern did not see a euro for me.

It was amazing to have Mourinho call me, even though I'd been warned before how he would appeal to me. I listened to his arguments about why I should move to United. But at that time I was hesitant between staying at Leicester or leaving for Chelsea.

At Barcelona, there is always talk of signings, but I want to compete with the best.

The main factor in joining Arsenal was meeting with Arsene Wenger and to hear what his plans were for me.

I'm absolutely aware of the great effort Juventus Football Club has made to bring me here.

Chelsea is a fantastic place for young kids. They develop you, work you hard, and you can see they have top-class talent all around the world.

Hibs are such a brilliant club, amazing training ground, good coaches, and a great platform for Scottish players to get better.

When I was playing for Chelsea and Arsenal, we had a young team but also experienced players. You still have space for the youngsters to play, they just have to be strong mentally to compete every week.

Sunderland, West Ham and Orlando City wanted me but Villa wouldn't sell me, saying I was too vital in the dressing room.

When you are not playing much and you expect to play more, it is normal to think of the market. That's the modern game.