By RYAN TOLMICH

Although incumbent starter Thibaut Courtois is set to be out of action due to a red card, Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho insists that he does not miss the man that the Belgian replaced.

Following over a decade with the club, Petr Cech was sold to Arsenal this summer after being relegated to backup last season. Now, with Courtois set for suspension, Mourinho says he has full confidence in newcomer Asmir Begovic, while insisting that Cech is not missed by the club.

“We don’t miss Petr,” Mourinho said. “We’ve got a good keeper, the problem with Petr is not that we miss him because we have two excellent keepers. The problem with Petr is that an opponent is better than before.

“Thibaut and Asmir are two fantastic keepers. My club did very well by getting a keeper on time and not on the August 31. If my club gives me a keeper on August 31, then we have a problem not just for today but also for the next match. Unless the people understand that it’s not a red card and they clear the suspension.”

Here are some more news and notes to kick off your Monday morning:

MARSEILLE CRITICIZE BIELSA RESIGNATION

Marcelo Bielsa shocked many when he suddenly stepped down from his role as Marseille manager this weekend, including the club, who is none too happy with the manner of his departure.

Bielsa, who denied his resignation had anything doing with his reported links to the Mexico job, stepped down Saturday evening following Marseille’s season-opening loss to Caen. With Bielsa citing contract details as the reason behind the two parties’ breakdown, Marseille says that the manager is at fault while accusing him of holding the club hostage in negotiations.

“The board of Olympique de Marseille did everything to offer the club a coach who was up to that responsibility,” the club said in a statement, “but under no circumstances can OM be held prisoner to the demands of someone who places their personal interests well above those of the institution.

“Marseille is imbued with unique values and possesses a sufficiently rich history to refuse to subject itself to the law of a single man.”

WOLFSBURG VOW TO TRY AND KEEP DE BRUYNE DESPITE MAN CITY BID

Kevin De Bruyne’s standout season at Wolfsburg has drawn the eye of some of the world’s biggest clubs, but the German side believes they have enough to retain the midfielders services.

Manchester City has reportedly made a bid totaling £47 million ($73 million) to acquire the Belgian midfielder. Acknowledging that the increased bids are becoming more and more tempting for player and club, Wolfsburg sporting director Klaus Allofs vows to battle to keep his player.

“I think some other clubs have definitely turned Kevin’s head,” Allofs said. “Some huge figures are doing the rounds and I can understand why Kevin is leaving everything open.

“He’s got to listen to the offers. I can’t expect from him that he doesn’t even want to entertain them. If he was only contracted to us until 2017, then yes, it would be different. But let’s be honest about it – it’s highly unlikely that he’ll stay with us right up until 2019.”

QUICK KICKS

Police are investigating after Hertha Berlin’s team bus was shot at on Sunday. (REPORT)

Real Madrid’s Martin Odegaard remains unsure of where he will play this season. (REPORT)

Neymar’s contracting of the mumps has forced Barcelona to delay the sale of winger Pedro in an effort to provide cover. (REPORT)

Xherdan Shaqiri is closing in on a move to Stoke City after previously seeing a potential deal break down. (REPORT)

Chelsea are set to land John Stones after making a recent 30 million pound ($46.5M) bid for the Everton centerback. (REPORT)

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What do you think of Mourinho’s statement? What do you expect from Bielsa now that he’s free to move? Where do you see De Bruyne playing this season?

Share your thoughts below.