Chelsea will be stronger for poor start, says Asmir Begovic

Asmir Begovic says Chelsea's poor start to the season can make them stronger in the long run, ahead of their Champions League game at home to Maccabi Tel Aviv.

The goalkeeper, who is set for an extended run in the side as first-choice Thibaut Courtois recovers from knee surgery, says the Stamford Bridge outfit remain high on confidence.

Bosnia international Begovic will make his debut in Europe's elite competition against the Israeli side, with the Premier League champions facing close scrutiny after slipping to 17th place in the table with only one win from five games.

But Begovic said that self-belief is still high among the squad he joined from Stoke City during the transfer window as replacement for Petr Cech.

Confidence levels are still pretty good. I think it's going to make us stronger going forward.

"There's always going to be a bit of a hit on confidence when things aren't going your way," he said.

"But confidence levels are still pretty good. I think it's going to make us stronger going forward.

"Something we can't forget is what this group achieved last year. We have some of the best players in the world and we're more than confident we'll get to the levels we want to."

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Begovic also backed Jose Mourinho, whom he called "the best manager in the world".

Mourinho told reporters it was "sad" that critics were trying to find problems among his squad that he said did not exist.

"The only problem we have is that we don't have good results," he added.

"In some other clubs, you have to go back 10 years to remember good results. Three months ago, we were the best team in the country."

He said there would be changes to the team that lost 3-1 at Everton on Saturday, although Colombia striker Radamel Falcao will not be in the squad because of a minor injury.      

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