Mark Hughes has made some big changes to the goalkeeping position of his team in Stoke City as Shay Given was signed to the Premier League club and AsmirBegovic is on the verge on being offloaded to Chelsea.
Stoke City signed the 39 year old Shay Given on a 2 year long contract as the experienced shot-stopper was lured in from Aston Villa. The veteran shot-stopper was initially not expected to turn into an active or influential figure in his new club at the Britannia Stadium but considering that Begovic is close to signing with Chelsea, now Shay Given might be the main goal-keeper of Stoke City for the next few seasons or at least provide Jack Butland with some serious competition.
After Shay Given’s arrival to Stoke City was made official, Mark Hughes took the chance to praise his recent acquisition as the Welsh manager said: “I know Shay particularly well from our time together at Manchester City and I’m really looking forward to working with him again. He will not only be a great asset on the pitch as an outstanding goalkeeper but he’s also a fantastic character to have in the dressing room and around the club a true professional.”
If AsmirBegovic’s transfer to Chelsea does indeed fall through and completes, he will be filling in the role that PetrCech had in Stamford Bridge as a backup option. ThibautCourtois is the undisputed main goal-keeper of Chelsea and Begovic will have to settle with a limited amount of playing time.
With the potential departure of Begovic, Jack Butland is the man which is expected to take over as the main goal-keeper of Stoke City for the next season but he will face competition from the veteran Shay Given.