New Chelsea goalkeeper Asmir Begovic says he hasn’t joined the Blues just to be back-up to first-choice Thibaut Courtois.

Begovic signed from Stoke on a four-year deal earlier this month after the departure of Petr Cech to Arsenal.

With Courtois firmly established as Chelsea's number one keeper, Begovic was mocked for taking “early retirement” due to predictions he would be lucky to make it off the subs’ bench at Stamford Bridge.

But Begovic, who had been Stoke's first-choice keeper for the past four seasons, insists he is at Chelsea to play and not take it easy.

He said: “I want to test myself against Thibaut, he's one of the best goalkeepers in the world but I believe in myself. I want to try and get as many games as I can.

"Hopefully every time I can show everybody what I'm all about and ultimately help this team. We all have to play our part and at a club like this I think you get to do so.

"There have been no guarantees. The challenge that's here, the manager and players was what attracted to me and that was a big part of my decision.

"I'll back myself, absolutely. I'll be keeping my head down and working hard to see how I can help this team in the future."