Jose
Mourinho says he has confidence in back-up goalkeeper Asmir Begovic to
perform at Manchester City next weekend and denied suggestions that Chelsea
will miss Petr Cech.
The 33-year-old Czech international left Stamford Bridge after 11 years
during the summer to join Arsenal after playing second fiddle to Thibaut
Courtois last term.
Courtois' sending off in Saturday's stuttering 2-2 home draw with Swansea
led to the introduction of summer signing Begovic, with the former Stoke
goalkeeper now set for his full debut at title rivals City next weekend.
"We don't miss Petr," Mourinho said. "We've got a good keeper, the problem
with Petr is not that we miss him because we have two excellent keepers.
"The problem with Petr is that an opponent is better than before.
"Thibaut and Asmir are two fantastic keepers. My club did very well by
getting a keeper on time and not on the August 31.
"If my club gives me a keeper on August 31, then we have a problem not just
for today but also for the next match. Unless the people understand that
it's not a red card and they clear the suspension."
Courtois will serve a one-match ban at the Etihad after being sent off for
bringing down Bafetimbi Gomis, providing the Frenchman a chance from the
penalty spot which he took.
Speaking on Saturday Night Football Jamie Redknapp felt the decision was
harsh and Mourinho was clearly angered by the dismissal saying, "I expect
the referees to do their job well, that's what I expect".
He also rejected the notion the Blues have started the season slowly, having
also lost to Arsenal in the Community Shield.
There were some promising signs in the first half on Saturday, with Diego
Costa an imposing presence having overcome a reoccurring hamstring issue to
start.
"He did very well, and again the second half is very difficult because it
was a big difference - one player less and a lot of effort and even so I was
not expecting him to resist for 90 minutes," Mourinho said.
"But because we wanted to try to get a goal we went with him until the end
and it was very important and new for us that he played for 90 minutes with
such a physical performance.
"He is happy with the reaction. He is okay, happy, he is very happy and with
the reaction with his body after such a hard game."
Swansea impressed against the champions at Stamford Bridge and had a number
of good individual performances, including Jonjo Shelvey.
Garry Monk said the midfielder was "lazy" and had to "wise up" last December
- comments that got the Swans boss the desired response then and now.
"Yes, I spoke to him about this seriously," Monk said. "He's still a young
player which you forget about with him because he looks a lot older.
"He has talent - they all have - but him especially and his vision, his
technical ability is excellent. It's just trying to get him to a level where
he can perform to that for every single 90 minutes, week in and week out.
"I think we can get there. He has the right attitude now and it's about us
working. He needs a lot of work, Jonjo.
"He realises how serious it is at this level and what type of player he can
be," he continued. "It's all right me wanting it for him but he has to want
it for himself."
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