Mark Schwarzer 'will fight tooth and nail for Chelsea place'

 
EPA
Tom Dutton11 July 2013

Mark Schwarzer does not intend to deputise for Petr Cech at Chelsea next season, according to Australia’s goalkeeping coach Tony Franken.

Franken believes Schwarzer will fight tooth and nail for a starting role at Stamford Bridge, ahead of next summer’s World Cup.

“Knowing Mark’s character he won’t be going to Chelsea to consider himself as purely the No 2, the club might think that, but he won’t,” said Franken.

“The way he trains will put a fair bit of pressure on Cech and from Chelsea’s point of view it’s a great signing because they now have two top-quality keepers of Premier League status.”

Franken’s comments came amid fears that the 40-year-old’s move could jeopardise his position as Australia’s first choice goalkeeper in Brazil.

“Obviously there is a concern there with the amount of games Mark will play next year leading into the World Cup,” said the former Perth Glory stopper.

“With Chelsea competing on the four fronts of the Premier League, UEFA Champions League, FA Cup and League Cup, I’d like to think that he will play a fair few games.

Schwarzer has notched 108 caps for his country and is bidding to become the oldest goalkeeper ever to play at a World Cup.

And his chances are buoyed by the fact that those breathing down his neck are experiencing a distinct lack of playing time.

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“[Adam] Federici has fierce competition at Reading with Alex McCarthy for the first-team jersey, [Brad] Jones could be third keeper at Liverpool after they just signed Simon Mignolet and [Mitchell] Langerak is No 2 at Borussia Dortmund,” said Franken.

“They are all quality keepers but at this stage they probably won’t be playing regularly for their clubs.

“Hopefully [Mathew] Ryan will start the season at Brugge. If he plays then he will jump up the queue. There’s no substitute for playing games – it’s not something you can replicate at training.”

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