I turned down Manchester City and Chelsea, says Stoke keeper Butland

12-Mar-2013 12:15:00 AM

The 20-year-old has revealed that he snubbed both teams to sign for Tony Pulis' side as he didn't feel that he would get enough games with either of the Premier League giants

Stoke and England keeper Jack Butland says he turned down both Chelsea and Manchester City as he did not think he would play enough for either of the Premier League giants.

The 20-year-old signed for Tony Pulis' side in January before being loaned back to Birmingham, and says that at this stage in his career he is looking to develop his skills and did not feel he would get enough games to do that with Chelsea or the Premier League champions.

"I had the chance to speak to Chelsea but I didn't feel like I needed to," he told The Times.

"It's a fantastic club and it would be a great honour to play for them at some stage, 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, which I didn't feel at some of the other clubs I rejected.

"I turned Manchester City down about a year ago. Again, I was flattered, but Joe Hart is their undisputed number one and he was a main factor."

Birmingham are 14th in the Championship table, but have only kept six clean sheets in 37 games this season.