Begovic relishing No1 gig at QPR after Everton back-up role

Asmir Begovic is relishing the buzz of playing first-team football again after signing for QPR in the summer.

The experienced goalkeeper, 36, spent two years as Jordan Pickford's understudy at Everton before opting to drop down to the Championship. 

And Begovic, who got his hands on a Premier League medal during a spell at Chelsea, firmly believes he made the right choice. 

He told LiveScore: "I spoke to a few clubs but my family are based down here and QPR just felt like the perfect package.

"I wanted to play again. I missed playing. I feel like I could go for a few more years.

"But I've never been scared of a challenge. I was super excited to head to some of the biggest clubs in the world. 

"The opportunity to go to clubs like Chelsea and AC Milan is not one that comes around often.

"The ultimate aim was to be a part of good teams and form part of a really good goalkeeping group.

"I fancied being part of amazing squads and winning trophies, which has been exciting."

Golden memories

Winning the league with Chelsea in 2016-17 is undoubtedly the pinnacle of Begovic's achievements at club level.

A side featuring top-flight greats John Terry, Cesc Fabregas and Eden Hazard topped the table under Antonio Conte and the former Portsmouth and Stoke favourite describes success with the Blues as an "amazing experience".

He said: "It was something I'll never forget, you don't get those every day.

"Playing with these guys is why I chose to go to Chelsea. No matter what, you're getting better all the time. The standard of training was unbelievable.

"It made me a better player, goalkeeper and person. They're great guys to share a dressing room with and I'm still friends with them to this day."

Student of the game

The list of managers Begovic has played under includes Jose Mourinho, Stefano Pioli and Rafa Benitez, as well as Conte and English football stalwarts Harry Redknapp and Tony Pulis.

And he believes that working with such an array of coaches has improved his understanding of the game — although he is in no rush to follow in their footsteps.

The ex-Bosnia and Herzegovina international said: "I'm a football nerd. I love watching and studying the game.

"It's impossible to choose any of those managers over another. They're all absolutely top drawer in their own way.

"They're all really good people and helped me to understand the game from a tactical point of view — but I'm not sure if coaching will be for me. 

"We'll see. I don't have an idea when I want to retire yet."

The stopper's full focus is now on performing for QPR boss Gareth Ainsworth, whose side have recovered from a nightmare start to rise to 19th in the table ahead of today's visit from Coventry. 

Begovic, who has made eight league appearances for the R's, said: "It was a difficult start to the season but results are picking up now. 

"We didn't have our squad together as quickly as everybody would have wished. Now things have settled, we're in a good place."