Bosnian argues compatriot’s case as one of the best three front men in the world.Check in to Stoke City vs Manchester City
Stoke city goalkeeper Asmir Begovic has said that Manchester City striker Edin Dzeko is among the three best strikers in the world right now alongside Radamel Falcao and Robert Lewandowski, the Express reports.
The pair are set to face each other this weekend as their two sides meet at the Britannia Stadium and Begovic has promised that he will be putting their friendship on hold as he looks to stop the former Wolfsburg striker scoring on him for the second consecutive season.
However, he did take the time out to express his admiration for the front man by telling Stoke’s official website; “In my opinion he is one the three best number nines in the world along with Falcao and Robert Lewandowski; so he is somebody that we have certainly got to keep our eye on during the game.
“He scored against me last time at the Etihad Stadium, but he was due one in that game because I have made a few saves against him over the years. Hopefully I can keep him out again this weekend.”
Begovic says the this fixture was the hot topic between the of them whilst away on international duty this week, but the stopper has insisted that he is fully focussed on shutting the striker out.
He added: “We are friends for sure, and he is a great guy and an incredible player, but once kick-off comes on Saturday all we will both be thinking about is getting the win for our respective teams.
“We have spoken about the game during our time together on international duty and we are both looking forward to it, just as we always do.
He also went on to laud Stoke’s new midfielder Marko Arnautovic, who he believes can be a “massive signing for Mark Hughes’ men after previously impressing Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho at Inter Milan.
He said: “He is a very, very exciting player and somebody I know quite a lot about having watched a lot of German football over the last couple of years.
“If we can get the best out of him then he will be an absolutely massive signing for us, because he possesses abilities that a lot of other players wish they had.
“I remember him at Twente in Holland where he really burst on to the scene and then at Inter Milan. The fact that Jose Mourinho took him there tells you what sort of player he is.”