AP
Bangkok: Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho said Mark Schwarzer will provide valuable competition and motivation for number one goalkeeper Petr Cech after handing the veteran Australian a surprise role at Stamford Bridge.
Mourinho made clear that he regarded Cech as the world's best 'keeper, but he said the 40-year-old Schwarzer gave Chelsea extra "security" as a vastly experienced and highly rated back-up.
The Australian international signed on a free transfer this week after spells at Fulham and Middlesbrough and immediately jumped on the plane for Chelsea's pre-season tour of Asia.
"I always said even when I was coaching other teams that we have the best goalkeeper in the world but we need competition for him, we need protection, we need motivation," Mourinho said in Bangkok.
"We need somebody that can give us security and I think Schwarzer is perfect for that because he's a very good goalkeeper, he's very experienced.
"He spent all his career in the Premier League so the Premier League is his natural habitat, so, getting a good opportunity for a free transfer, we have in Mark the goalkeeper we need to complete our group of goalkeepers."
Both Schwarzer and Cech are in the travelling party to Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia along with academy 'keeper Jamal Blackman, who is six foot five (1.95 metres) and 19.
Schwarzer's one-year contract runs until the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, for which Australia are already qualified.
Socceroos coach Holger Osieck has given his blessing to Schwarzer's move despite the prospect of limited playing time this season, according to reports in Australia.
No comments:
Post a Comment