Schwarzer aiming to be Chelsea No.1

Mark Schwarzer is not content with being a highly-rated back-up keeper at Chelsea, the Socceroos veteran aiming to show he's First XI material.

Veteran goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer may be a new addition to the Chelsea squad but on Saturday he pulled no punches, telling reporters he was aiming for a first team place for the coming English season.

"When I signed for Chelsea, I knew they had top quality goalkeepers, and the competition for a starting place would be tough," the Australian told reporters in Kuala Lumpur.

"But with hard work and good performances, I can show that I am good enough to play in the first 11," he said.

Schwarzer signed on a free transfer earlier this month after spells at Fulham and Middlesbrough.

Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho said last week that Schwarzer would provide valuable competition and motivation for number one goalkeeper Petr Cech.

Mourinho made clear that he regarded Cech as the world's best goalkeeper, but he said Schwarzer gave Chelsea "security" as a vastly experienced and highly rated back-up.

Schwarzer, who has played in the Premier League for 15 years, is one of the few to have amassed over 500 appearances in the league's history.

And the 40-year-old still has a burning desire to perform at the highest level.

"If you asked me five years ago if I would see myself here today, I would've said no. But what I have learned from that is you never say never, anything is possible," he said.

The Blues are visiting Malaysia as part of a pre-season Asia tour. They have already been to Thailand and will play in Indonesia after meeting a select Malaysian squad in a friendly on Sunday.

Schwarzer insisted the London rivalry between his last club Fulham and Chelsea would not affect his reputation with The Cottagers.

"There's always rivalry between Fulham and Chelsea, without a doubt. But my rapport with the Fulham fans was excellent," he said.

"I had some fantastic times there. I showed respect for them and they did the same. But things move on, I've moved to another club and am looking forward to next season."

His one-year contract runs until the 2014 World Cup in Brazil for which the Socceroos are already qualified.


Share

2 min read

Published

Updated

Source: AAP


Share this with family and friends


Get SBS News daily and direct to your Inbox

Sign up now for the latest news from Australia and around the world direct to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Download our apps
SBS News
SBS Audio
SBS On Demand

Listen to our podcasts
An overview of the day's top stories from SBS News
Interviews and feature reports from SBS News
Your daily ten minute finance and business news wrap with SBS Finance Editor Ricardo Gonçalves.
A daily five minute news wrap for English learners and people with disability
Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS
SBS World News

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service
Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world