Stoke City goalkeeper flattered by Chelsea link
Stoke City goalkeeper Asmir Begovic today said that reports suggesting English Premier League champions Chelsea were keen to recruit him have boosted his confidence.
The 23-year-old Bosnian international revealed that he was flattered to be linked with a move to one of the league’s biggest clubs. However, with Stoke boss Tony Pulis saying that a move would not be taking place, Begovic is instead attempting to convert that self-esteem boost into good form on the pitch.
'Great club'
He told The Sentinel that: "Obviously I'm aware that the gaffer said there was an enquiry, but nothing is happening. If someone wants to take me and they accept a bid, that's a different story, but in the meantime I just have to get on with my job . . . It is brilliant and I'm really flattered. Who wouldn't be if they were mentioned in connection with a great club like Chelsea?"
Fulham boss Mark Hughes has also targeted Begovic, according to the Daily Mirror, as he seeks a replacement for Mark Schwarzer who is looking to push through a move to Arsenal.
'Bid turned down'
Begovic has only made four appearances for Stoke since making a £3.25m move from Portsmouth in January as he is behind Thomas Sorensen in the pecking order. He made his debut for the Potters against Chelsea in April this year after replacing the injured Sorensen in the 35th minute. Despite losing five goals in a 7-0 defeat, he obviously did enough to impress the opposition manager Carlo Ancelotti who has reportedly had a bid of £4m for the player turned down.
After featuring at Canada as a youth international, he switched to the Bosnia international set-up last year and has since made three senior international appearances. He made his debut as a substitute in a 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifying clash with Estonia, which Bosnia won 2-0.
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