Asmir Begovic
According to the Daily Mail, Bournemouth goalkeeper Asmir Begovic had a bust-up with manager Eddie Howe after the Bosnian has been dropped in favour of Arthur Boruc in recent weeks. The report says that Asmir Begovic was involved in a heated argument with his boss at the club’s headquarters next to the Vitality Stadium.
Asmir Begovic moved to the south coast from Chelsea in 2017, 10 years after signing for them on loan when they were in League One. The 31-year-old won the Premier League at Stamford Bridge but played just 2 games for the club that season.
The Bosnian started every game for the Cherries until he was dropped for the game against West Ham this season. The 31-year-old has been on the bench in Bournemouth’s last 3 games in the Premier League and is set to remain there after Boruc’s back-to-back clean sheets against West Ham and Chelsea.
Following the altercation with the manager, Begovic’s future at Bournemouth looks uncertain and the goalkeeper is at a stage in his career where he needs to start every game. The Bosnian is under contract at the Vitality until 2021 but a move away from the south coast at the end of the season is on the cards.
Here are 2 Premier League clubs who should make a move for Asmir Begovic in the summer.
Summer signing Vincente Guaita has taken over from first-choice goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey and has started in 8 out of Crystal Palace’s last 9 games. With 39-year-old Julien Speroni set to leave the club in the summer, Palace will be in the market for an experienced hand and Asmir Begovic should be on top of their list.
The Bosnian averages 2.64 saves per game this season, more than any of Palace’s goalkeepers. Begovic will bring bags of experience and leadership to Roy Hodgson’s side and is an option that the Eagles should seriously consider.
The Lilywhites have had a poor campaign on their return to the Premier League and are currently 19th in the table having conceded a shocking 58 goals so far this season.
Marcus Bettinelli returned from injury on game week 3 and started 7 games for Fulham but he conceded 20 goals and failed to keep a single clean sheet. Former Sevilla man Sergio Rico took over and has started Fulham’s last 16 games. The 25-year-old has let in 33 goals during this period, keeping just 2 clean sheets.
Fulham need an experienced man between the sticks and Asmir Begovic fills that criteria perfectly. The Bosnian has over 250 appearances in the Premier League over the last 10 seasons and will bring a much-needed leadership into the Fulham backline. Should Claudio Ranieri’s team survive, Begovic should be their number 1 goalkeeping target in the summer.