By Will Jardine
7 Jun 2011 09:03:00
Asmir Begovic,Chelsea vs Stoke City,EPL (Getty Images)
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Stoke City goalkeeper Asmir Begovic knows exactly what will be waiting for him and the rest of the squad when they report for pre season duty next month.
Tony Pulis will be looking to make sure that the Potters are in peak condition for the forthcoming season.
Begovic described last years pre-season as the toughest he had ever been through.
“It’s nice to have a break, especially after a very long season,” he told the club’s official website.
“It’s good for all of us to take a little time away from football, recover and then make sure we come back in July fit and raring to go again.
“We are under no illusions as to how tough pre-season is going to be, especially out in Austria. I was here for it last year and it was incredibly tough, but that is what you want. At the time you may not like it, but it is all done in our best interests.
“It certainly helped us over the season, especially in the second half of the year because I don’t think there were any teams who were fitter than us.”
The former Portsmouth No.1 has made 32 appearances since joining last season, and faces competition for his place with Thomas Sorenson as Stoke aim to build on a successful campaign last time out.
“We looked good at the end of games and that is all down to the preparation we did last summer,” said Begovic.
“We will do it all again this year and hopefully it will prove to be just as valuable to us when the new season gets underway.
“Obviously, I want to be playing games, but so do Thomas and Carlo Nash, who are also two fantastic goalkeepers.
“I feel like I did well in what was my first real full season and hopefully I can continue that. It’s important that I continue to work hard during the summer to make sure I come back fit and show how much I want to retain the number one spot.”
Pulis’ men reached the FA Cup final last season, narrowly losing out 1-0 to Manchester City at Wembley in May.
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Asmir Begovic prepared for Stoke City’s gruelling pre-season campaign