Promising goalkeeper Jack Butland has revealed the reasons behind his snubbing of Chelsea and Manchester City in the January transfer window.

Butland eventually chose to move to Stoke City, before returning to Birmingham City for the remainder of the season.

Level headed

He was reported in the The Sun as saying: “I had the chance to speak to Chelsea but I didn’t feel I needed to. But I’ve got a chance to join a club where I feel I can better develop my game and take it to the next level.”

This speaks volumes about the players mentality and will to succeed. It also shows the football world that young players can reject big clubs if they feel that a move there wouldn’t be in their best career interests.

The England ‘keeper has also let the cat out of the bag in regards to his potential move to Manchester City: “I turned Manchester City down about a year ago. Again, I was flattered but Joe Hart is their undisputed No1 and he was a main factor.”

While Chelsea and City having established shot-stoppers, Petr Cech and Joe Hart respectively, it would be safe to assume that Butland would spend his first few years being farmed out on loan.

Long Term Goal

The England international, who made his debut against Italy last August, has his sights set on playing in the U21 European Championships this summer: “I want to go with the U21s. For me, I think it would be a lot more beneficial to my development.”

If Butland played in the U21 European Championship Finals, it would mean that he misses the FA’s 150^th anniversary games against Brazil and the Republic of Ireland.

However, the level headed youngster isn’t bothered by this: “Much as I’d love to go to Brazil for the experience my target is to go there 12 months later for the World Cup. For now I need to get these games under my belt.”

The 20-year-old has played 37 times this season, keeping seven clean sheets and making 182 saves in the process.