When you watch Asmir Begovic this season you do wonder why he went so out of favour during Eddie Howe's time at AFCB. I am not sure if Asmir was the main reason Bournemouth conceded a lot of goals in 2018-19 as Bournemouth were consistently doing that during their time in the Premier League when Artur Boruc and Aaron Ramsdale were in goal. At the time, I was in favour of Howe making a change in goal, but now Asmir looks dedicated and full of concentration to be as good as he can between the sticks. What's changed?
I don't think this is simply because of the managerial change that Asmir is playing better, although it might have helped him get more of an opportunity. The thing that I believe has helped him is being away, first of all in Azerbaijan for Qarabang, where he could play and get back to enjoying the game, and then by getting a fantastic loan move to AC Milan which must have seemed like a dream coming true to play in the San Siro. What's not to like?
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Once he started to play well and feel that he was making a difference to a team, he got his mojo back and while he didn't start the first game this season for AFCB, he didn't waste any time in wrestling away the jersey and securing his place in the team. Begovic was among the players nominated for player of the month in October, and he is playing as well now as he ever has for AFCB. He needs to have a target for clean sheets, and if he can get into the high teens for clean sheets then he may well play an important part n AFCB's promotion push.
I think it is hard for Begovic in that he has Marc Travers pushing him and Will Dennis, but he is the senior keeper and will feel that he can be the only one that can put real pressure on himself. He will perhaps be thinking ahead to whether he could play for Bournemouth in the Premier League again. He should have two or three good years left at the highest level, but will he win over the fans and manager over enough to be considered AFCB's number one for the next two years? I still think he may find Bournemouth will want to strengthen in goal, if they go up, considering how they shipped so many goals in the top league last season and that was with a goalkeeper who is probably going to be one of the best new keepers in the country.
What I can say is I have been impressed by the way Begovic has come back and proved lots of people wrong. He has done himself proud.
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