Asmir Begovic Exclusive

Exclusive interview with Asmir Begovic: I’d love to join exciting Wrexham project this summer, Mike Maignan would take Chelsea to the next level, Zlatan Ibrahimovic is like a god in person, Liverpool’s goalkeeping situation is not a long-term solution, Frank Lampard can be a future England manager

Speaking exclusively with Fruity King, iconic former Premier League goalkeeper Asmir Begovic has spoken about a potential move to Wrexham as he searches for his next club.

The former Bosnia international, who won the title during his time at Chelsea, has also stated that Mike Maignan would be able to bring the Blues to the next level.

Begovic, who left Everton this summer, has called former team-mate Zlatan Ibrahimovic a god-like figure, explained why Liverpool’s goalkeeping situation has a shelf-life and backed Frank Lampard to be a future England manager.

Q: You have just parted ways with Everton, what are your plans going forward?

AB- “My Everton exit didn’t come as a surprise, I had another year with the club and a good conversion with Sean Dyche when he was the manager.

“With my kids being older and my family situation, it was a good arrangement and the manager was on board with it.

“It wasn’t a long-term solution and everybody understood the situation, it was a mutual conversation and probably best for everyone. I really enjoyed my time at the club and I’m not excited to see what my options are and go from there.”

Q: How keen are you to find a new club?

AB- “I’m on the lookout for a new club because I want to keep playing, I still feel amazing and I’ve got plenty left in the tank.

“I’ve been really lucky with injuries and I’ve put a lot of time into looking after my body. I think you just get to a stage of your career when you are thinking about your family and what is best for them. It’s about finding a solution that fits us all.”

Q: Are you open to both number one roles but also as a back-up?

AB- “Not being first-choice is something I’ve got used to as I’ve got older and as you see the bigger picture. When you’re young and you’re not playing it is quite difficult.

“It’s hard to understand and deal with the fact you’re not playing. Later in my career I’ve understood that it can be the case sometimes, playing as the second or third choice in a good department is still important.

“Not being first choice is something that gets easier as you get older and wiser.”

Q: What are your thoughts on Everton’s prospects going forward?

AB- “I’m really glad to have been a part of the Goodison Park finale, it meant a lot to me and was so special to the fans.

“I’d have loved to have played in the new stadium but that Goodison farewell probably meant a little bit more. I have only positive things to say about my relationship with Everton and I want the best for them.

“I hope they can hit the ground running in their new stadium and kick on as a club.”

Q: Are you keen to stay in the Premier League?

AB- “I am open-minded about my future. I’m always open-minded about the right project and the right club.

“The Premier League is the best league in the world and of course you still want to be a part of that, but the Championship is close to the top five leagues in the world and there are some amazing clubs competing there.

“From that point of view, it’s a league I am still interested in. I’m not against playing abroad, but I am quite settled in England having been here for such a long time.

“I’m open to options and seeing what the best one is for me.”

Q: Would Wrexham be an exciting prospect for you?

AB- “Wrexham is a really interesting project, both on the pitch and everything that comes with it.

“I like working with good people and having watched the documentary, the owners seem like amazing guys. That is the sort of club I’d love to work with and the idea of Wrexham really interests me.

“If it’s the right situation for everyone then who knows, it’s an exciting project.”

Q: What are your thoughts on Marcus Bettinelli moving to Manchester City?

AB- “Marcus Bettinelli’s move to Manchester City isn’t a bad one! If you’re comfortable with understanding that role then it’s a great move.

“City are an amazing club with a great manager and a really good environment. I think he will really enjoy his time there even though that number three role can be difficult.

“Mentally it can be difficult knowing where you stand, but if you can understand that then it’s a really good spot.”

Q: Can Kepa Arrizabalaga compete for the number one shirt at Arsenal?

AB- “Kepa had a fantastic season at Bournemouth. I think he reinvented himself and put himself in the market, especially when it comes to other Premier League clubs.

“Going to Real Madrid gave him more experience and I think we all know now that he is a top goalkeeper. You don’t get the career moves he has had without being a top goalkeeper.

“I think Arsenal have always been very keen to have two top goalkeepers, I think he will provide excellent competition to David Raya and having two goalkeepers is the sign of a really top team.”

Q: What will Giorgi Mamardashvili bring to Liverpool?

AB- “All the best teams have two top goalkeepers and Giorgi Mamardashvili will provide that at Liverpool.

“The only thing I would say is that it’s not a long-term solution, Alisson will be expecting to start and Mamardashvili will be the same.

“We’ve seen Caoimhin Kelleher leave the club for the same reason because when you are in the prime of your career you want to be playing. I think that situation has a shelf-life.

“That goalkeeping department will be really strong, we will just have to see how it plays out which remains to be seen.”

Q: Are Alisson and Ederson still setting standards in the Premier League?

AB- “Alisson and Ederson are two of the best in recent times, their performances and the level of consistency speaks for itself.

“They have both done incredible jobs and the fact that they play for the same national team is outrageous really. It’s an embarrassment of riches for the Brazilian national team.

“Like a top club, Brazil have two top class goalkeepers that have competed at the higher end of the Premier League now for many, many years.

“They are two of the very best, especially when it comes to this generation.”

Q: What do you make of Chelsea’s goalkeeping situation?

AB- “Chelsea had consistency for so many years in Petr Cech and then Thibaut Courtois, ever since then it’s been a bit of a revolving door.

“Managerial changes and changes in the ownership have played a role in why that department hasn’t been very settled.

“The rumours are that they are looking to make another change, it’s hard but you really need a settled group of goalkeepers and not to be changing every year.

“Having said that, Mike Maignan might take Chelsea to another level.”

Q: Would Mike Maignan be an improvement for Chelsea?

AB- “Mike Maignan is a top goalkeeper. I’m a huge fan of his. Since my time with AC Milan I have followed Italian football and Maignan is one of my favourite goalkeepers.

“He’s right up there among the top five goalkeepers in the world, I think it would be a statement signing for Chelsea.

“Robert Sanchez and Filip Jorgensen have done well, but I think Maignan would take them to the next level. He has no weaknesses in his game. Having said that, the adaptation to English football and the physicality has to be dealt with, but he is a good enough level.

“He is the type of player that could adjust really quickly.”

Q: Has Andre Onana been unfairly treated at Manchester United?

AB- “The unfortunate reality of being a goalkeeper is the scrutiny and the pressure that comes with it, you elevate that by being at Manchester United, arguably the biggest club in the world.

“Of course that pressure and that scrutiny just ramps up even more, so all the criticism because of where he plays and circumstances it’s all been over dramatized. I think there’s obviously been situations where he can do a little bit better, there’s no doubt about that.

“But I think overall, Andre Onana has been pretty steady because it’s never easy. It does take a little bit of time to transition to the Premier League, but going into his third year I think he can go to another level.”

Q: What did you make of the criticism of David de Gea in the Premier League?

AB- “It’s really a great question why he was let go. I still don’t understand to be honest with you. We don’t know the ins and outs of the situation but he is a top goalkeeper that performed well for so long and was let go.

“It’s nice to see him back. It’s nice to see him enjoying his football again and being at a really good club, being in a really good league. So all credit to him.”

Q: What do you make of Gianluigi Donnarumma being linked away from PSG?

AB- “I had the pleasure of working with Gigi and we are still friends to this day. I never had any doubt about how good he was, what he was able to do and what he was able to achieve.

“Seeing him at PSG winning trophies is no surprise to me, I have been consistent in my comments and opinions around him – he is one of the best in the world.

“He’s performed, he’s won trophies and done everything that’s been asked of him. The European Championship and the Champions League confirm that he is in the upper echelons.

“In terms of quality and everything that’s there, there’s absolutely never been a doubt in my mind. Will we ever see the Premier League? I’d love that.

“When you’re based here in England, you want to see the best players compete and go up against each other. So that would be nice. We’ll just have to wait and see.”

Q: What was it like to play alongside John Terry at Chelsea?

AB- “Playing alongside John Terry was incredible, just incredible. He was Chelsea and he stood for everything the club was about. The fans loved him and he had that aura, he was a fantastic leader.

“He was a great personality around the team and the dressing room even in the later part of his career, to learn from him was incredible.

“He has qualities on and off the pitch and not many players stay at one club for so long anymore, it’s so hard to replicate. Learning from him was a great experience.”

Q: What did Zlatan Ibrahimovic come across like at AC Milan?

AB- “People think of Zlatan Ibrahimovic as a god and that’s exactly what he’s like.

“He does put out that persona more so to the outside world, inside the dressing room he is just one of the guys that is part of the banter. Not only does he have an aura but he expects pressure and puts pressure on himself and onto everyone around him,

“He works harder than anyone and sets the standards, to be able to share the dressing room with Zlatan and learn from him, pick his brains, was special.

“We were a couple of the older players so we spent a bit of time together which was nice, it was another unbelievable experience.”

Q: Can Harry Kane fulfil his dream of being an NFL kicker?

AB- “Harry Kane’s dream is not impossible, I can’t say I’m an expert but I did spend time in Canada so I know that being an expert kicking in the NFL is very different.

“It’s very very difficult and there is a very different technique to kicking the ball and everything else that goes into it. There is a lot of pressure and expectation on them but Harry Kane, I can see him doing it.

“It’s not as easy as it looks to the outside world but you never know.”

Q: Is the Club World Cup too hard on players?

AB- “The Club World Cup is really tough on the players. It’s the first time this tournament has happened but the reaction and the fallout to it will be interesting.

“We need to see how it plays out over the next few weeks but you have to ask, is this tournament necessary?

“We want to see these clubs playing each other but is there a better way of doing it? I know that a lot of managers, players and clubs were not particularly happy with it.

“It’s a massive addition to the schedule for the players who are already playing a lot of games at the highest level. So what’s the fallout going to be? We don’t quite know, so we’ll have to wait and see.

“They’re trying to include more clubs from around the world which is nice to see, but it’s been pushed into an already demanding schedule, we will have to see what the fallout is.”

Q: How good a signing would Richarlison back to Everton be?

AB- “Richarlison would be a great signing. He was a great player at the football club, a hard-nosed player that really gets stuck in and works so hard for the team.

“The fans love that and I think if Everton could bring him back to the club, that would be a great signing and a big boost.

“Whether it can be done, we have to wait and see. He is a top player and someone I enjoyed playing with, he left for financial reasons but bringing him back would be absolutely fantastic.”

Q: Can Everton get back into Europe under David Moyes?

AB- “Can Everton get back into Europe under David Moyes? I don’t see why not. With the new stadium and the new ownership everything with the club moving in the right direction, everything’s in place for this club to be successful.

“It can almost be what it wants to be at times, they have the fans and the traditions but now the new stadium, we’ve seen Newcastle going back into the Champions League and competing, Everton can be in the same breath as that.

“It’s not going to happen overnight. It’s going to take a bit of time. But I think with the new resources and the stadium the future looks bright and I don’t see any reason why they can’t compete with the very best.”

Q: How big a move is Caoimhin Kelleher to Brentford?

AB- “Caoimhin Kelleher to Brentford is a really good move, a really good move.

“I think now he’s in the best years of his career and for him to not be playing with his quality would be a great shame, it was never going to be easy at Liverpool.

“Going to Brentford is a brave move, he could’ve stayed and been comfortable at Liverpool on a really good contract but he has decided to challenge himself.

“It’s absolutely fantastic for him, I’m really pleased for him and can’t wait to see him play week in and week out and see what he can do.”

Q: Can Ipswich Town bounce back to the Premier League?

AB- “I am expecting Ipswich to compete for promotion next season, they have a top manager in Kieran McKenna and have had a big boost to the revenue and resources over the past two years.

“I expect them to be in the race but we all know that the Championship is a really difficult league, it’s a massive grind and a lot of teams will be competing.

“At the same time, I think they’ve got the chance to be up there once again and if you put yourself in that position around those five or six teams, anything can happen. With a bit of luck, they will go up again.”

Q: How hard is it to see Stoke City stuck in the Championship?

AB- “Stoke spent so many years in the Premier League and it’s not nice to see them struggling in the Championship.

“A lot has happened there, a lot of change and new managers, they haven’t had much consistency but with Jon Walters leading football operations and Mark Robins as manager, hopefully things will be more settled.

“They have a fantastic fanbase, a great stadium and infrastructure. They are a Premier League club but the next step has to be challenging in the Championship.

“They need to get into the playoffs and give themselves a chance, hopefully that can happen this year.’

Q: What do you make of criticism over Thibaut Courtois?

AB- “I had the pleasure of playing with Thibaut Courtois for a couple of years. He is one of the best goalkeepers in the world without a doubt.

“His record and what he’s been able to do at Real Madrid have proved that even further, he is absolutely incredible and is still doing it at the highest level despite having a few injuries which are hopefully a thing of the past.

“He can still achieve more and win more trophies for many years to come.”

Q: What was it like to work with Jose Mourinho?

AB- “Jose Mourinho is a top manager, he brought me to Chelsea so I learned a lot from him. He had high expectations and was a man of detail.

“It was a turbulent time when I joined so I probably didn’t get the best version of him, but he is one the greatest of all time, there is no doubt about it.

“His body of work is absolutely incredible and he is still so fun to watch, there is never a dull moment, he is always box office and is still managing a huge club in Fenerbahce.

“I expect him to finish his career as Portugal manager, that would be the perfect ending, but Roberto Martinez is flying at the moment but things will change at some point.

“Carlo Ancelotti has gone to Brazil, Jose Mourinho to Portugal would be a great way to finish things off.”

Q: Can Frank Lampard get Coventry City into the Premier League?

AB- “Frank Lampard has done an incredible job with Coventry, he got them into the playoffs and got them so close to the playoff final.

“As a player and a person, he always gains immediate respect. Players really buy into it but I think in the Premier League he has needed a bit more time to get that across.

“In the Championship he has more leeway and can show his managerial qualities. Working with him was a pleasure, I really enjoyed it.

“”From that point of view, it’s great to see him have success. I’m not surprised at it. Hopefully, with a bit of luck, maybe he could kick on Coventry again this year and go one step further.”

Q: Can Frank Lampard one day go on to manage England?

AB- “English managers sometimes get into the Premier League promotion so Frank Lampard will have that in his sights, it’s nice to see the ex players do well and I’d love to see Lampard managing England.

“Could he do that in the future? I don’t see why not. He is very young in management terms and I think he is in a great position. Hopefully he continues to climb with Coventry.”

Q: Will Sean Dyche’s return to management be in the Premier League?

AB- “I think Sean Dyche will return to the Premier League, but the Championship is a high quality division so we could see him back there at some point to bring a club back into the top-flight.

“But he does have Premier League pedigree and gets the job done. I have a lot of respect for him because he brings people together in difficult times, he’s a man you want to have on your side.

“He’s been absolutely fantastic and enjoyed working with him, I expect to see him in the game again very soon.”

Q: Are there similarities between Sean Dyche and Tony Pulis?

AB- “Are there similarities between Sean Dyche and Tony Pulis? Quite a lot of similarities actually.

“It’s more about the principles, I think every single manager I’ve played for has a different way of playing the game, their own little intricacies, but I think there’s similarities between people.

“When you look at Tony Pulis, Sean Dyche, Jose Mourinho and Antonio Conte, there is a level of consistency with what they do.

“That’s about being organised defensively and giving yourself the best chance to win games and get results.

“A lot of teams in the Premier League have now moved away from that, away from trying to be rock solid at the back and giving themselves a platform to kick on.

“I think Pulis and Dyche have both done a great job and are a big underrated and go under the radar, but actually really important philosophically what they do.”

Q: Do Arsenal’s set-pieces remind you of Stoke City?

AB- “Set plays are a great opportunity to show how organised you are as a team and take advantage, it’s so difficult to score from open play at the highest level.

“It’s about giving yourself a great chance of scoring and Arsenal have taken that on to another level, it’s great to see them taking set-pieces so seriously.

“We used to be incredibly strong with set plays at Stoke both offensively and defensively. Arsenal have taken that on and a lot of teams now are doing that.

“They’re hiring their set play coaches and giving a lot of value to it, it’s so important.

“It’s a very important part of the game. I think one third of goals now are getting scored from set plays. It’s something you have to take very seriously.”

Q: How highly do you rate Eddie Howe as a manager?

AB- “I’m really pleased for Eddie Howe and not surprised at all at his success having been given great backing at Newcastle.

“His signings have been great and so has the way he has developed players. Having worked with him I know that his attention to detail is incredible.

“The game plan is very clear and every individual knows their job going into every game, he and his staff put a lot of work into it and that’s why they are getting success.”

Q: What is Jason Tindall like behind the scenes?

AB- “Jason Tindall is a great guy, he is like yin and yang with Eddie Howe. Eddie is incredibly intense and serious, Jason is the other side and he is in with the players.

“They are a really good team and work together so well, they feed off each other and their coaching styles. They are so impressive together and have a great knowledge of the game.”

Q: How close did you come to joining Manchester United from Stoke?

AB- “When I was at Stoke, every window it felt like something was going on and there was talk about me potentially taking that next step.

“Manchester United were one of the clubs interested as were Liverpool and Chelsea, which is the club I ended up joining.

“That talk was pleasing because it meant I was doing something right, it’s nice to be linked with those clubs.

“The appeal of United is undeniable for any player, the ambition is to play for the biggest clubs in the world, but things didn’t progress.”

Q: What was it like playing for Canada at youth level internationally?

AB- “I moved to Canada when I was really young and grew up there, I left Bosnia when I was really young and spent important years of my life in Canada.

“I started to represent Canada at youth level but with the full understanding that I was Bosnia, born in Bosnia.

“I was committed to the youth ranks while I was progressing, almost waiting to see if there would be a call from Bosnia. It was hanging over my head.

“Eventually it came and you have to make a really difficult decision, I had to think in the best interests of my family. I thought Bosnia was the best move but it was not an easy decision.”

Q: How special is it for Canada to be hosting the World Cup?

AB- “Hosting the World Cup is great for Canada, 20 years ago when I was coming through the ranks and seeing how soccer was, it’s really night and day to now.

“The growth has been amazing and not just on the pitch but with infrastructure, stadiums and MLS teams, there are so many more opportunities and avenues for players in the game.

“That’s obviously great and to be able to be recognized as one of the host nations of the World Cup is a massive thing. So for them to get that automatic qualification and be part of it, I’m really looking forward to seeing how they can do.”

Q: How special was it playing for Bosnia and at the 2014 World Cup?

AB- “It was a great journey and is one of the best moments of my career.

“In fact, I think probably the best moment of my career was in that 2014 World Cup in Brazil, playing for Bosnia against Argentina and everything that came with that.

“That was just absolutely incredible. We had some great times. We achieved, pretty much the maximum we could have. Maybe with a bit of luck we could’ve done more, but looking back at the body of work it’s a good one.

“I enjoyed every moment of it and it was nice to be able to achieve some success and obviously bring some success to the country as well.”

Q: How special is Edin Dzeko for the Bosnia national team?

AB- “He’s still playing at the highest level now and it’s so impressive, how he’s been able to look after himself and really keep going at such a high level for so long. He is special.

“In terms of football in Bosnia, he’s been obviously the figure and really the face of it all. He has helped catapult us and was part of the golden generation that took Bosnian football to another level.

“There has been some inconsistency and some difficult moments in the last few years, but Dzeko has done a great job putting Bosnia on the map in the footballing world.”

Q: Which strikers have been the hardest to stop in your career?

AB- “Looking back, I was so lucky to have played against some of the very best players of the generation, including the two greatest in Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.

“I played against Messi a couple of times and Ronaldo more, when he was in his prime he was literally unstoppable.

“As a goalkeeper, you know he can beat you on the left, on the right, in behind, in the air and from set-pieces.

“You can try to stop him with multiple players but when he opens up space for his team-mates, his performances stand out as the hardest to stop.”