Asmir Begovic is clear Chelsea should not feel sorry for themselves following a disappointing start to the season that has produced only one point from their opening two games. Begovic replaced the suspended Thibaut Courtois for Sunday’s 3-0 defeat at Manchester City, a match in which the champions were dominated by Manuel Pellegrini’s team.
However, with José Mourinho’s side next at West Bromwich Albion on Sunday the Bosnian is conscious the club have to bounce back quickly as they are already five points behind City, Manchester United and Liverpool.
Begovic said: “We still have a strong squad. We just need things to click for us – we are getting out sharpness. Training has been competitive and strong. A couple of things are not quite going our way right now but this is no time to start feeling sorry for ourselves. We have to pick ourselves up quickly, improve and pick up points.”
Regarding the deficit, he added: “It’s not something we’ll look at now. We will try and correct our performances and improve those levels, then hopefully pick up the results and see how things are going. You never want to be behind but there is still time to recoup those points and be where we want and need to be come the business end of the season.”
Begovic conceded City had been difficult to handle. “It was tough to deal with. We expected them to come out very aggressive, strong and press hard,” he said. “It was their first home game so they wanted to prove a point and we were ready for it, but when they come at you like that it’s difficult to deal with.
“We grew into the game and tried to do our best, but the second goal killed us. City were very good. They have top quality players and have strengthened, obviously. They are a top quality side now and we expected nothing less than a very difficult game and that’s what it turned out to be. We know we have to raise our game, pick ourselves up and reach the levels we need to compete for the title.
Begovic, who signed for £8m from Stoke City to replace Petr Cech in the second goalkeeping spot at Stamford Bridge, added: “I was obviously delighted to start the game, but it was just a shame that it was such a difficult one.
“We kept fighting and tried to stay in it for as long as we could. It’s not the start we wanted after the first couple of games, having just one point on the board, but there is plenty of time to claw it back.
“I came here to compete, be part of the squad and club and it’s very exciting for me. When I’m called on I’ll do my best, that’s all I can do. Things like last week can happen sometimes. It’s unpredictable but I’m here to do the best that I can.”
