Rumoured Asmir Begovic

[Eidur the Spider 4,515]

Shay Given nearing move to Stoke, surely a matter of time now for Begovic to come to us.

http://www.espnfc.us/story/2516359/stoke-city-closing-in-on-signing-goalkeeper-shay-given

[Kezza 1,965]

Would rather pay 8m for a safe pair of hands after years of watching Hilario, Turnbull etc

Yeah he's better quality than those two.

But how many appearances is he realistically going to make?

Shwarzer made 4 appreaces for us in 1 season.

Hilario, 20 in 8 seasons.

Turnbull, 7 in 4 seasons.

Cudicini, (after Cech was signed therefore made second choice). 40?? times in 5 seasons, mainly due to Cechs injury.

Where Cech is 11 mil and will make at least 30 apps in one season and will save them a shit load more points than Begovic would save us.

I just don't see how 8mil is feasible for a back up keeper, that's just me.

It's the same as when people say Sterling isn't worth 50mil.

Turnbull is also a CL medal winner! So..yeahh

[Kezza 1,965]

We pay for quality, mate

As above, mate

[OhForAGreavsie 6,060]

But Cech will be Arsenals 1st choice keeper..Cech is going to get a lot more minutes at Arsenal than what Begovic is going to get here.

For example:

Man utds back up keeper..free

Schwarzer..free

But

Begovic..8mil??

And it's not only the £8m Stoke want. Throw in the free loan they are also demanding and the deal approaches the amount Arsenal spent on Petr. Forking out the joint sixth-highest transfer fee ever paid for a goalkeeper, to purchase a backup, is an incredible, almost unbelievable, prospect. That said, I'm finding this prospect more acceptable than I did when it was first rumoured.

I've often read the opinion that we can't expect to have world class players as backups but I disagree. Well sort of anyway. Everyone agrees that we should aim to have world class starters, but my argument is that our backups should be world class backups. That's to say the best backups in the world. Begovic is such a player and would represent a powerful addition to our squad.

Yes the reported fee, and the reported cost of Begovic's contract, are both ridiculous but let's take advantage of our financial strength to target absolute quality. Too often in the past we've squandered our purchasing power on very poorly judged transfers. This time the decision makers have identified the right target. Let's bite the bullet, get the deal done, and move on with the rest of our summer plans.

[didierforever 7,349]

But Cech will be Arsenals 1st choice keeper..Cech is going to get a lot more minutes at Arsenal than what Begovic is going to get here.

For example:

Man utds back up keeper..free

Schwarzer..free

But

Begovic..8mil??

GK is not like any other outfield position where an injured/suspended matic can be replaced by a 20 year old CB in zouma.

a CL-winning aspiring team needs a proper backup GK even if he is a bit expensive.

real madrid have a second GK - keylor navas who cost them 10mil euros.

barcelona have a second GK - stegen/bravo (depending on your choice), both of whom were 12 mil euros.

ATM have 2 GKs who cost them a 19mil euros in total.

begovic gives us that safety of having an HG 2nd GK who while not being a match winner, wont be a match loser (aka green).

[Kezza 1,965]

And it's not only the £8m Stoke want. Throw in the free loan they are also demanding and the deal approaches the amount Arsenal spent on Petr. Forking out the joint 6th highest transfer fee ever paid for a goalkeeper, to purchase a backup, is an incredible, almost unbelievable, prospect. That said, I'm finding this prospect more acceptable than I did when it was first rumoured.

I've often read the opinion that we can't expect to have world class players as backups but I disagree. Well sort of anyway. Everyone agrees that we should aim to have world class starters, but my argument is that our backups should be world class backups. That's to say the best backups in the world. Begovic is such a player and would represent a powerful addition to our squad.

Yes the reported fee, and the reported cost of Begovic's contract, are both ridiculous but let's take advantage of our financial strength to target absolute quality. Too often in the past we've squandered our purchasing power on very poorly judged transfers. This time the decision makers have identified the right target. Let's bite the bullet, get the deal done, and move on with the rest of our summer plans.

Yeah I'll get over the cost in time haha. Guess it's just another change in the market we are witnessing.

[ChelseaFanUK 1,014]

Let's hope Begovic has been almost done for a while and Stoke wanted a proven backup (Given) signed before confirming it.

[OhForAGreavsie 6,060]

Yeah I'll get over the cost in time haha. Guess it's just another change in the market we are witnessing.

Spot on. Every time the Premier League signs a new TV contract sellers, especially canny European clubs, recalibrate their asking prices. Even though the latest deal won't kick in until the season after next, the transfer price hike is clearly in full effect.

[Unionjack 7,531]

We have to get a guy that we can TRUST. A lad we can trust the goal to if we need him in some CL game. We need to get the best we can and if it means paying a few quid for him its worth it.

Petr played 15 games last season and we was spoiled. It was the one position that I didn't mind which of the 2 players in that position was on the pitch. I couldn't say that about any other player.

This lad seems about the best on offer so I reckon unless the rags grab him we should.

[BlueLion. 21,491]

We pay for quality, mate

Homegrown quality, as well.

This could be our most sensible signing in years.

[pHaRaOn 2,131]

Stoke City landed in Singapore to take part in Barclays Asia Trophy without Begovic.

[pHaRaOn 2,131]

Oh, there's the reason

[Unionjack 7,531]

Homegrown quality, as well.

This could be our most sensible signing in years.

Not sure about the most sensible bit but I do think the ink should be dry by now on the cheque we wrote them.

[RoyalBlues 4,050]

Shay Given having medical with Stoke

http://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/589963/Chelsea-Transfer-News-Asmir-Begovic-Shay-Given-Medical-Stoke-City

[Strike 7,477]

Yeah he's better quality than those two.

But how many appearances is he realistically going to make?

Shwarzer made 4 appreaces for us in 1 season.

Hilario, 20 in 8 seasons.

Turnbull, 7 in 4 seasons.

Cudicini, (after Cech was signed therefore made second choice). 40?? times in 5 seasons, mainly due to Cechs injury.

Where Cech is 11 mil and will make at least 30 apps in one season and will save them a shit load more points than Begovic would save us.

I just don't see how 8mil is feasible for a back up keeper, that's just me.

It's the same as when people say Sterling isn't worth 50mil.

Turnbull is also a CL medal winner! So..yeahh

Yeah but the risk was still there in all those years. Injuries are not exact science. Like last season for example Cech made around 15(?) appearances . And a team like Chelsea plays a lot of crucial games - like vs Arsenal last season, Courtois got a concussion.

If a top home-grown keeper like Begovic wants to sign for Chelsea, I would gladly take him.