Asmir Begovic: 'Judge Chelsea after August'

Bournemouth goalkeeper Asmir Begovic has said that it is unfair to judge his former club Chelsea until the transfer window has closed at the end of August.

A host of players, including John Terry and Nemanja Matic, have left Stamford Bridge this summer, and the Blues suffered defeat in the Community Shield against Arsenal at the weekend.

Begovic also left Chelsea in this transfer window after being deemed surplus to requirements, but the Bosnian holds no ill-feeling towards his former club, and has backed Antonio Conte's side to show their true colours next month after a difficult pre-season.

"Chelsea would have been disappointed to lose that game [against Arsenal]. As much as people don't think the Community Shield is important, it's an important game, it's a trophy and not to win a trophy is always disappointing," Begovic told talkSPORT.

"[Antonio Conte] would not have been happy, especially immediately after the game, he would have wanted to win that game and get the season off to a really positive note. From the outside looking in, obviously I don't know, I haven't been in the camp.

"Obviously they have let a lot of players go, a lot of players have left for many different reasons, but there's still just under a month left of the transfer window. A lot of things can happen.

"I don't think you're going to see the true Chelsea until the end of August, but they can't afford a slow start. I'm sure they'll want to get off to a good start with the Champions League coming up and a Premier League title to defend too. They've got an important couple of weeks ahead."

Club captain Gary Cahill recently admitted that he was worried about the size of the Chelsea squad entering the new campaign.