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Chelsea keeper Thibaut Courthois hints at footballing under-appreciation from ex-boss Jose Mourinho: 'It was mostly long balls to Branislav Ivanovic'

Thibaut Courthois felt his footballing ability was underappreciated by former Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho, who asked the keeper mostly to play it long.

Mourinho made Courthois his No 1 when the Belgian returned to Stamford Bridge after three seasons on loan at Atletico Madrid and saw the young goalkeeper help the Blues to the title in his first season.

Courthois was one of several star players whose performances dropped in their defence, which ultimately saw Mourinho sacked.

Thibaut Courthois felt his footballing skills were underappreciated by ex-boss Jose Mourinho
Thibaut Courthois felt his footballing skills were underappreciated by ex-boss Jose Mourinho
The Belgian backs himself to play out on pitch but was only asked to hit long ball by Mourinho
The Belgian backs himself to play out on pitch but was only asked to hit long ball by Mourinho

By the end of the Mourinho's second spell in west London many of the criticisms over his playing style that clouded his original exit resurfaced.