In case you hadn’t heard, Chelsea are Premier League champions.
The Blues are essentially playing for fun now, having wrapped up the league last Friday night with a 1-0 victory over West Brom.
Several players will have been accustomed to the taste of domestic glory as several of the current squad were present for Chelsea’s triumphant 2014/15 campaign.
But one player who joined that summer, Asmir Begovic, has never won a trophy in England and, in a remarkable interview, Antonio Conte’s backup goalkeeper insists he doesn’t feel he deserves the Premier League medal to which he is now entitled.
Begovic made just two Premier League appearances for Chelsea this season, with Thibaut Courtois the undisputed first-choice stopper throughout the season.
Current league rules allow players who have made at least five appearances for the champions to claim winner’s medals but backup goalkeepers typically receive special dispensation regardless of how many games they play as they are seen as crucially important players.
Chelsea will get their hands on the Premier League trophy on Sunday, after they host Sunderland in their final game of the season.
But it will be interesting to see how Begovic reacts when he is presented with his medal because he has incredibly admitted that he feels that the rules should be changed regarding peripheral players’ entitlement to the honour.
“I think the rule should be changed, I don’t know about the whole five appearances,” Begovic told Sky Sports News on Tuesday.
“Having been part of the group all year, we’ve all sacrificed, played our part in the team each and every day, but they really have to look at that rule again.
“It’s the rule for now, thankfully I get one and obviously to have that in your career is great.”
One in the bag but something for the football brass to consider.
