Former Liverpool striker: We don't miss this Chelsea star

Asmir Begovic completed a £8million move to Chelsea in the summer

PETER CROUCH insists Jack Butland has filled the void left by Asmir Begovic.

 

The Bosnian left the Potters in the summer to complete an £8million move to Chelsea.

Jose Mourinho signed Begovic to provide competition for No.1 goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, following Petr Cech's departure to Arsenal.

But Begovic has found himself as the Blues' first choice stopper this campaign after Courtois picked up a serious knee injury.

With the 6ft 6in goalkeeper leaving Stoke, England international Butland has stepped up to the mark at the Britannia Stadium, according to Crouch.

”We knew he was a good goalkeeper but I think he has taken even his team mates by surprise with how good he has been,” Crouch told the Daily Mirror.

 

Jack Butland celebrates helping Stoke beat Chelsea on penalties in the Capital One Cup last month

“He has kept us in a lot of games. Certainly last weekend he was probably the main factor why we got the point. He has had an incredible season so far.

“Do I think he has filled the void left by Asmir? Yes. He always wanted to be a number one. He originally came to Stoke ahead of some higher profile clubs because he wanted to be playing.

“Asmir was well liked at the club and we wish him very well. Him moving on was always going to be big shoes to fill but he has done that.

“The biggest compliment I can pay him is that we haven’t missed Asmir as much as I thought we would.”

Butland became the hero last month during Stoke's penalty-shootout against the Blues in the Capital One Cup and Crouch believes the 22-year-old can one day become England's No.1

 

“He’s a good guy to have around the place," Crouch added. "He is vocal in the changing room for one so young in goalkeeping terms.

“He reminds me of Joe Hart in many ways. When I was with England he wasn’t getting a game and he was getting frustrated and you could tell.

“He knows he has had to bide his time. Now his chance has come and he looks like he has been playing in the Premier League all of his life.

“He has certainly seems at home and has pulled off some fantastic saves. I can see him going on and playing for England in the future.”

Both goalkeepers go head-to-head tomorrow as Chelsea take on the Potters at the Britannia Stadium (5.30pm).