Asmir Begovic backs Joe Bursik for 'big, big future' as he offers help to aspiring keepers

Asmir Begovic is backing Joe Bursik to have a "big, big future in the game" - even if it will still require patience to get there.

Begovic has been watching Bursik's progress at his old club since joining as a 17-year-old back in 2017. The England under-21s keeper got his first team chance earlier than expected a couple of seasons ago due to injury and has shared the gloves since.

He has been promoted to the number one jersey and, now 22, is competing with Jack Bonham to be in the starting XI for the first Championship game of the season at Millwall a week tomorrow.

Begovic said: "For goalkeepers it's difficult making that breakthrough. It's the position that takes the most patience. I remember I was being called the next best thing at 18 or 19 but I went through some good or bad times before I was playing regularly at Stoke.

"The most important thing for Joe is that he's at a good club with a good coach. He's got to keep working, stay pushing but stay patient with it. Sometimes you can try to push things too quickly but if you are playing week in, week out in the Championship every week that's a big step.

"We're very guilty in this country of expecting too much too soon and sometimes we just need to be a little bit patient.

"I was about 22, about Joe's age, when I got my big break having been through loans in League One and League Two. It was then that things sped up very quickly.

"I'm a big fan of Joe's and I've got no doubt that he's got a big, big future in the game."

Begovic has first hand experience working with Bursik's keeper coach at Stoke, David Rouse.

"I worked with him at Macclesfield Town," said Begovic. "It was only a short period of time, unfortunately, but we've kept in touch ever since.

"First and