Conte hasn’t said who’ll be Chelsea’s No.1 next season – Begovic

Conte hasn’t said who’ll be Chelsea’s No.1 next season – Begovic

Chelsea manager Antonio Conte is yet to reveal whether Thibault Courtois will be Chelsea’s No.1 goalkeeper next season, according to Asmir Begovic.

The Bosnia and Herzegovina international featured in an experimental Chelsea side on Saturday that marked Conte’s first game at the club – a 2-0 defeat to Rapid Vienna.

Begovic, who signed for the Blues from Stoke City in 2015, made 17 appearances in the Premier League last season and impressed after his Belgian colleague endured a lengthy layout around New Year.

However, with Courtois still to return from his summer break after Belgium’s quarter-final exit from Euro 2016, Conte hasn’t stated who will be his No.1 goalkeeper next season.

“Conte hasn’t explained too much at all, to be honest. It’s just about working hard and trying to buy into what he wants us to do,” the 29-year-old told Goal.

“I’m sure those decisions and everything else will come further down the line and we’ll see what happens.

“Thibaut did well in the Euros. It was unfortunate for them. They obviously wanted to win the tournament with the standards they’ve set before.

“He would have been upset to go out in the quarter-finals but he did well, and we’re looking forward to having him back with us.”

The former Stoke goalkeeper failed to nail down the starting berth at Stamford Bridge last season but he has developed a healthy rivalry with Courtois – who is considered by many as one of the best goalkeepers in Europe.

Courtois, however, suffered a long term knee injury which ruled him out for a large period of last season and also made some uncharacteristic errors on his return to the side, leaving the door open for Begovic to challenge for the No.1 jersey.

Conte is reportedly undecided on who his No.1 goalkeeper will be but he could be swayed by the club’s goalkeeping coach Christophe Lollicon who has good relationship with Begovic.

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