Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho has hailed the club’s new summer signing Asmir Begovic as a ‘fantastic’ player and says he has the confidence in the back-up Bosnian goal keeper to perform at Manchester City next weekend.
The Blues lost club legend Petr Cech in the summer – the Czech international left the Bridge after 11 years to join rivals Arsenal, after playing as a back-up striker to Thibaut Courtois last season.
Courtois was sent off in Saturday’s 2-2 draw at home with Swansea, as a result Begovic, who replaced the Belgian international in that match, is now set for his full debut against title rivals Manchester City.
“We don’t miss Petr. We’ve got a good keeper, the problem with Petr is not that we miss him because we have two excellent keepers,” said Mourinho as quoted by Sky Sports.
“The problem with Petr is that an opponent is better than before.
“Thibaut and Asmir are two fantastic keepers. My club did very well by getting a keeper on time and not on the August 31.
“If my club gives me a keeper on August 31, then we have a problem not just for today but also for the next match. Unless the people understand that it’s not a red card and they clear the suspension.”
Cech had a nightmare start to his Arsenal career, as the Gunners lost 2-0 at home against West Ham. The 33-year-old has been heavily criticised by the fans and the press for his shaky and unconvincing performance against the Hammers on Sunday.
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