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Chelsea's Asmir Begovic questions Premier League medal allocations

Chelsea goalkeeper Asmir Begovic has admitted that he doesn't believe he deserves a Premier League winners' medal this season, and called on the governing body to change the rule on the minimum number of appearances required to get one.

Premier League rules state that Chelsea will be provided with a total of 40 medals to hand out to players and staff alongside the trophy presentation on Sunday, with all players who have made at least five appearances in the competition guaranteed a medal.

Begovic will receive one despite only playing two Premier League games as special dispensation is made for reserve goalkeepers, but youngsters Nathan Ake, Kenedy and Ola Aina do not satisfy the appearance threshold and therefore can only be included at Chelsea's discretion.

"I think the rule should be changed, I don't know about the whole five appearances," Begovic told the Daily Mail. "Having been part of the group all year, we've all sacrificed, played our part in the team each and every day.

"But they really have to look at that rule again because I don't think five appearances should warrant a medal. It's the rule for now, thankfully I get one and obviously to have that in your career is great."

Among the Chelsea players guaranteed medals are Oscar, who joined Chinese Super League club Shanghai SIPG in a £60 million deal in January, and Branislav Ivanovic, who departed for Zenit St Petersburg in the winter window.

John Obi Mikel is not eligible, however, having failed to make a single appearance in any competition under Antonio Conte before moving to Tianjin TEDA.