Premier League: Asmir Begovic thinks Stoke should be aiming for top 10 place

Asmir Begovic says Stoke City should be aiming to establish themselves as a regular top 10 Premier League team in the long-term.

Mark Hughes' side have not enjoyed the most consistent of starts to the season, following up a 1-0 win over champions Manchester City at the Etihad with Saturday's home defeat at the hands of newly-promoted Leicester City.

But Begovic believes those results are just typical of the tough competition in England's top division and he remains confident the Potters will end the season in the top half of the table.

"The Premier League now undoubtedly is the most competitive league in the whole world and anyone can beat anyone on any given day," Begovic said at a gala dinner for his foundation, which is looking to improve recreational facilities for children in Stoke and his native Bosnia & Herzegovina.

"You have to be on top of your game, you need a bit of luck on the day as well. I think we performed pretty well for most parts of the game and we just couldn't score.

"Leicester defended really well, had a good game plan, caught us on the counter-attack and made the most of their one chance.

"It was one of those difficult days that happen in football but we move forward and if we keep putting the right effort into the game we'll get the right results.

"We've got a good squad, a great manager and I think we can achieve a lot of good things. If we can establish ourselves in the top 10 then that would be fantastic, and a really big achievement."