Chelsea have reportedly had a bid for Celtic goalkeeper Craig Gordon rejected and Conte insisted his second-choice shot-stopper Asmir Begovic will be going nowhere if he can not find a replacement during the January transfer window.
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He reinforced that status on Saturday, using the ball sensibly and efficiently even in the face of Brentford’s fierce second-half pressing.
“Begovic [will] start, ” Conte said.
“People will expect Chelsea to win the game but if we go there, enjoy it and play with freedom, then you’ve seen that The FA Cup is full of surprises”. “And Begovic for me will stay”. “He’s improved this season but I think there are other keepers out there. They are very important for the club”.
Nico Yennaris then forced Begovic into another save five minutes later having turned excellently in the box to find some space.
Defender Branislav Ivanovic is another to be linked with a move but Conte would not be drawn on his future. I was only aware of it on Thursday so I sent him a message and said: “Come in, let’s have a chat”. “For sure this is a particular month because there is this window”. But perhaps most interesting for Conte (and worryingly for Marcos Alonso), he also acquitted himself very well defending in one-on-one situations against the lively Maxime Colin. He isn’t playing a lot and I know when one player has the ability to play and you are not playing regularly, it’s not easy.
“We are talking about a top team at the top level, so it’s not often this happens, that a player is so strong he can play”.
Celtic skipper Scott Brown understands Chelsea’s interest in Craig Gordon but is hoping the goalkeeper stays at Parkhead.
“I’ve read a lot of good names in the newspaper, yes”.
“And I know he how much he loves being here”.
“I have confidence in my players”. You know, here we are at the Super Bowl, so that’s the main goal. But playing Kenedy tomorrow would preclude a second-half loan.
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“They are a good bunch, honest, hardworking, with quality as well and that is why the scoreline was so disappointing”. Players must make the best decision for him and his family and I’m ready to accept every decision. “We can continue in this way and try to develop our young players”.
