Having made a move 254 miles south and from a relegated club to the FA Cup winners, Ross Turnbull has lifted the lid a little on the lead-up to his transfer.

A vacancy in the squad for a goalkeeper with first-team experience existed at Stamford Bridge from the moment Carlo Cudicini left for Tottenham in January. The half-season wait to fill it allowed Chelsea to consider options carefully.

Speaking during his first week training at his new club and clearly delighted he was the chosen one, the free-transfer signing voiced what he has learnt about the selection process.

'I believe it was the scouting system here and Cristophe [Lollichon], the goalkeeping coach, also had a say in it,' Turnbull explained. 'And I know when Middlesbrough played here at Stamford Bridge last season that he videoed my warm-up.

'So he looked at my technique then and it is great to think that someone would do that. Obviously he was impressed with what he saw and I am very grateful.

'Personally I never would have thought that a club would do that but I was wrong and I am just glad I did a good warm-up!'

The next stage was Turnbull learning of Chelsea's interest.

'This is one of the top clubs in the world and it's a privilege to be here, but at the time I heard it, it was a bit like - are you sure? Is it a wind-up?' he smiled.

'But it is good and I think that last season when I played, I did well.

'I am still only young and I know when Ben Foster signed a new contract with Man United recently that Sir Alex Ferguson described him as one of the best young goalkeepers - and he is 26. I am still only 24 so I have a lot of time ahead of me.

'It is a big challenge and what I learn here will stand me in good stead, whether that is to replace Petr [Cech] or to move on in years to come.'

If the chance arrives soon for Chelsea first-team action, Turnbull feels ready to keep goal in the Cech style, thereby minimising any unfamiliarity the defence might feel. It is also not lost on him that he when he does play, he will be one of only a few Englishmen donning the gloves in the Barclays Premier League.

'I want to be as good as possible and if that is the way Chelsea want to play it, that is what I'll do and there is no reason why I can't command my area. I am a big lad and hopefully that is what I will be doing.

'It is such a high profile club here and if I am playing games and doing well, hopefully I will catch the eye of Mr. Capello - but first and foremost I have to think about Chelsea and getting games and trying to push Petr Cech as hard as I can.'

The next major step in his Chelsea introduction will be in a week's time when Turnbull and the rest of the squad embark on the pre-season tour.

'I've seen a programme put together to show me the pre-seasons of past in America and it just looks out of this world.

'It is going to be a lot different from what I was used to at Middlesbrough. We went to Portugal last year, to the Algarve which is still pretty nice but this looks like it is going to be a fantastic trip and one I am looking forward to.'

Click World Football Challenge for information on the pre-season tournament in the United States. For pre-season ticket news click here.