Asmir Begovic admits playing time at Chelsea isn't guaranteed

If history is any indication, talent doesn't guarantee playing time at Chelsea.

It's especially the case for goalkeepers - as proven last season when one of the team's most accomplished players, Petr Cech, saw his role as a starter reduced to a bench player when Chelsea decided to go with Thibaut Courtois as their starter between the sticks.

But that doesn't seem to be a problem for Asmir Begovic as he gets set to play second fiddle to the Belgian international this upcoming season.

The Bosnian international admitted his conversations with manager Jose Mourinho before his transfer from Stoke City did not include any mention of guaranteed regular playing time with the defending Premier League champions.

"He explained what he expects, what the club expects and told me what it means to be part of Chelsea Football Club," Begovic said in an interview on Chelsea's website. "I was very much attracted to the whole challenge, for me that was the biggest thing.

"He didn't make any guarantees; it's just about coming in here and working hard. I need to earn my place and show my qualities. I'm confident I can make an impact. Being part of a team that wins trophies is what it's all about, I think that was the next step for me in my career and it's certainly something the manager can help me with."

Whether he's able to maintain that positive attitude remains to be seen following a season where he appeared in 35 Premier League matches. That his competition happens to be one of the game's most promising players at the position doesn't help Begovic's chances of seeing his appearances surpass Cech's total of seven matches in his last season at Stamford Bridge.

Barring an injury, Courtois will likely come close to matching the 32 games he featured in during Chelsea's league-winning season.