Stoke City Football Club

• Nickname:Potters
• Founded:1863
• Manager:Tony Pulis

• Ground:Britannia Stadium
• Capacity:28218

Potters stand firm over Begovic

26 Aug 2010 - 09:55:04

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Stoke City chairman Peter Coates has vowed to keep Chelsea transfer target Asmir Begovic at the Britannia Stadium.

Begovic has come under fire after finding himself in the transfer spotlight this week.

Potters boss Tony Pulis criticised the Bosnian goalkeeper after claiming he refused to play in Tuesday's Carling Cup victory over Shrewsbury Town.

However, despite strong transfer interest from Premier League champions Chelsea, Coates claims the club has no plans to sell a player they only signed from Portsmouth in January.

"This is an internal matter and we will decide on what action to take," he stated.

"He is regarded as one of the best young goalkeepers in the Premier League and we are not interested in any new offers from Chelsea.

"We are not interested in what Chelsea do and we have already rejected an offer, from them, for Begovic.

"We wouldn't welcome another bid from Chelsea and, as far as I am aware, we have not received a new offer from Chelsea for him."