City Stopper Reveals Reasons for Turning Downing Summer Move to Chelsea

Norwich City goalkeeper John Ruddy says his ambition to be part of England's squad at next year's World Cup was behind his decision to reject a summer move to Chelsea.

Should England secure qualification next month, Ruddy is among the leading contenders to accompany Joe Hart as one of three goalkeepers in Roy Hodgson's 23-man squad.

With Ross Turnbull joining Doncaster Rovers and Henrique Hilario being released, Chelsea were looking for an understudy to number one Petr Cech, with Thibaut Courtois due to spend a third successive season on loan at Atletico Madrid.

Hilario eventually re-signed with Chelsea in August but not before Jose Mourinho pursued a move for Ruddy, but the Norwich stopper said negotiations broke down over playing time at Stamford Bridge.

"That (playing time) was always a main talking point while the discussions were going on," Ruddy told talkSPORT.

"At the same time I was very flattered and grateful for Chelsea's interest but I had signed a long term deal at Norwich.

"I committed myself to Norwich because I'm very happy there and nothing has changed. I'm playing week in, week out and building up to a World Cup year that's vitally important.

"I'm just enjoying playing football for Norwich City in the Premier League and long may that continue"

With Hart virtually assured of travelling to Brazil as Hodgson's first choice, Ruddy is among a group of goalkeepers including Celtic's Fraser Forster, West Bromwich Albion's Ben Foster and Stoke City's Jack Butland - who is on loan at Barnsley - in contention for the remaining two berths.

Ruddy was in the provisional squad for Euro 2012 before a broken finger forced his replacement by Butland, but the Norwich goalkeeper did make his international debut in the win over Italy last August and has been an unused substitute in England's last three games.

Ruddy says should further call-ups come, he must be prepared to put pressure on Hart and others around him.

"Joe is number one because he's a world class goalkeeper and is playing for one of the best teams in the country, it's as simple as that," Ruddy said.

"He deserves to be the number one, there is no doubt in my mind. As for me and Fraser, all that we can do is to go in there and make sure he's at the top of his game and he knows that and he knows that there is pressure and Ben obviously when he comes back from injury.

"Although people don't see it, it is a very healthy position to be in. we've got two goalkeepers in me and Fraser who are hungry to got international caps and we've got a goalkeeper in Joe who is world class and who is desperate to prove to everyone and all of the doubters that he is a goalkeeper that we in the squad know that he is.

"You've got to be ready," he added. "You don't know what is going to happen in the week or 10 days that you're together so you've got to prepare in the right way.

"We're all in tip top form when we arrive and we will prepare for the game in the right manner. If Joe starts then we give him our full backing and if we're needed then we're more than ready."