Asmir Begovic may be replacing Petr Cech, but he’ll be relegated to backup duty as long as Thibaut Courtois holds the fort. Is this the same as an early retirement?
Chelsea moved quickly to sign a replacement for Petr Cech in Stoke City goalkeeper Asmir Begovic. But while the £8 million star is most likely extremely excited to be a member of the defending Premier League champs, his actual role with the team may be lot more limited.
Naturally, friends and foes of Begovic alike took to social media to express their “congratulations” on what could very well be an “early retirement” for the 28-year-old stopper:
#Begovic announces his retirement form the game at 28 #CFC What a shame, could have been something pic.twitter.com/WlQQYgN3xP
— Eric’s Genius (@apcmtb) July 13, 2015
Asmir Begovic’s home for the upcoming season. Second row, third from left, perhaps. pic.twitter.com/cukfh2fMR4
— VICE Sports UK (@VICESportsUK) July 13, 2015
We’ll probably be seeing a lot more of Begovic on BT Sport now he’s accepted early retirement.
— Peter (@_Peter1082) July 13, 2015
Begovic was the Stoke City Player of the Year in 2013 and was voted the Stoke City Players’ Player of the Year in 2013 and 2014. He holds the Guinness World Record for “longest scored goal in football” thanks to a 2013 shot he made from his end of the pitch against Southampton that traveled 97.5 yards and past Artur Boruc for the record-setting score. Unfortunately for Begovic, he faces an uphill climb to get his next start with the young Thibaut Courtois coming off a breakout season with 12 clean sheets – good for 5th in the Premier League.
This is the last time Asmir Begovic will have to use his arms for the next few years… pic.twitter.com/UelUclpjVk
— Matthew Stanger (@MatthewStanger) July 13, 2015
Stoke keeper Asmir Begovic has announced his retirement by completing a move to Chelsea.
— Dale Johnson (@dalejohnsonESPN) July 13, 2015
Such a shame Asmir Begovic has chosen semi-retirement at the age of 28, had plenty of good years left in him.
— Paul Swain (@paulswainAFC78) July 13, 2015
SEE MORE:
Man United transfer news
Chelsea transfer news
Asmir Begovic latest
COMMENTS