Begovic to start against PSG on Saturday, as he looks for match sharpness

Asmir Begovic, Petr Cech's replacement as our new no.1 goalkeeper, if only by shirt number rather than pecking order, got off to a rather inauspicious start in his Chelsea career.

Just a few minutes after taking the pitch as a half-time substitute, he flapped at a cross and needed a John Terry clearance off the line.  Worse was to come, as a backpass from the same man left him stranded and the match level at one apiece.  And then the Red Bulls scored three more times, though perhaps expecting Begovic to do anything about any of those would be a bit harsh.  Still, shipping four goals in 45 minutes is not exactly a dream start.

"He was very tired, the same as Courtois. When the goalkeepers are very tired the coordination is low, the agility doesn't exist, and the speed of reaction doesn't exist. Courtois made a mistake in the first half with the ball at his feet."

"Begovic in the second half was not sharp in his reactions but it's a consequence of being tired from training. I'm so happy to have him and in the next game against PSG he will start. He will play the first half. There's no problem, it's just a process."

-Jose Mourinho; source: Chelsea FC

Incidentally, Courtois' first ever match in a Chelsea shirt was last summer's 3-0 defeat at Werder Bremen, the young goalkeeper conceding twice in the opening half.

But no worries, Asmir, there won't be many days like this.