Conte looking for the answer to Chelsea’s goalkeeping problem

Antonio Conte admits he may have to allow goalkeeper Asmir Begovic to leave the club during the January transfer window, if his second-choice stopper decides to chase first-team football.

The 29-year-old Bosnian international has played second fiddle to Thibaut Courtois since his £8million move from Stoke City in 2015, restricted largely to appearances in domestic cup competitions.

But with a £10million bid from Bournemouth on the table, and Begovic’s attitude as a backup second to none, Conte concedes he wants to do what is best for the player.

That would leave the Italian manager with only 34-year-old Portuguese keeper Eduardo as cover for Courtois, but Conte insists he trusts his summer signing from Dinamo Zagreb – despite the fact that he is yet to play for the Blues.

“Firstly, I want to say Asmir is an important player for me on and off the pitch, he knows this,” he said.

“There is this offer. Myself and the club are evaluating the offer, but it’s important to find the right solution for Asmir, the club and me.

“There is one offer. It’s good for us to see the situation, face the situation and find the right solution. We are evaluating this but the club and player know my position, for me he is an important player.

“Eduardo was a great buy for us. He arrived this season as third-choice goalkeeper and the positions in the team are very clear in my mind.

“I’m very happy for him because Eduardo is working very well and he’s helping myself, Thibaut and Asmir a lot, as well as helping [goalkeeping coach] Gianluca Spinelli.

“I’m very pleased for his commitment and behaviour, he’s a very good goalkeeper and he’s doing well.”