Asmir Begovic is ready to accept Jose Mourinho’s decision when Thibaut Courtois returns
Chelsea FC’s goalkeeper situation is about to get a little more complicated. Thibaut Courtois is set to return from his nearly three-month injury layoff to reclaim his starting role.
The Belgian international made it through the early September international break unscathed and was all set to face Everton but suffered a knee injury in training just days before the trip to Merseyside. Since that injury, Asmir Begovic has stepped up in his place admirably.
Unfortunately the switch to Begovic coincided with a terrible run of form for the club but it had little to do with the Bosnian’s play. His goal was under siege time and time again and he did his best to save the Blues from even further embarrassment.
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There were times that an extra inch or two of height may have made the difference but that is not a reason to fault Courtois’s deputy. If Courtois is back to full fitness then it is likely that he will reclaim that number one keeper role, a fact that Begovic is ready to accept.
The Bosnian keeper told Sky Sports:
"“I don’t think about it too much, I just take it game by game, my job is to contribute when I play and to be a good team-mate.When Thibaut is back, the manager will have to make a decision and I will just concentrate on my job and try to play as many games [as possible].”“I leave all that down to the manager, I will respect the decision. I’ll work hard no matter what the circumstances are. I’m a big part of the team, we’ve got so many games that you have just got to concentrate on your job and contribute.”Source: Sky Sports"
When Begovic made the move from Stoke City to Chelsea FC in the summer, he knew that he was coming to Stamford Bridge to be a backup. After a decade or so of starting for Portsmouth and Stoke, he was ready to accept a smaller role in order to play in the Champions League and challenge for silverware. With his place in the Bosnia national team not under threat, the move was the logical step for a player hoping to feature for a big club.
Ironically enough it was Stoke that knocked Chelsea out of the League Cup and the Premier League is long gone. Still, this chance has given Begovic to play on the biggest stage in club football and he has relished his chances. The Blues will likely be cautious with Courtois as they will not want to play him more than once a week until they are sure he is back in shape and back to full fitness.
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There will still be plenty of opportunities for Begovic to play and excel the way he has for over two months now. Chelsea FC may have struggled mightily while Courtois was recovering but he will have a big pair of gloves to fill when he returns to replace Begovic.