By dixon9
July 9 2009

New Chelsea back-up keeper, Ross Turnball has revealed on the Official Chelsea site just how thorough Frank Arnesen´s staff are before recommending a signing. Many of us wonder just exactly what the Dane and his people do at the club – Turnball gives us the some of the answers describing the detail to which they go into pre-recruitment and also describes his first impressions at the club.

“Big Brother” watches – even during the warm-up 

'I believe it was the scouting system here and Cristophe Lollichon, the goalkeeping coach, also had a say in it,' said Turnbull. 

'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!' 

'I spoke with people when I came down. They knew a lot about my career and I was very impressed with how much they knew about me." 

Here to learn as well as play 

The 24-year-old shot stopper also went on to say why he signed for Chelsea and how he has found his first days at the club: 

'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?' 

'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.' 

'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.' 

'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 (He is 6´5”) and hopefully that is what I will be doing. 

'It's a pleasure to be here and I'm looking forward to working as hard as I can, I can still improve as I am still a young goalkeeper and with all the players here and the staff here all I can do is improve.' 

'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.  

Realistic on chances 

'Understandably it is going to be difficult, Petr Cech is one of the best in the world and it's not going to be easy, but it's up to me to work and take my chance when it may come along. 

'Nothing is ever guaranteed, so I see it as a fight between all three of us and it's an exciting challenge,' 

'Last season Chelsea played around 60 games so it is a squad game and I am here to be part of the squad. 

'I considered all the options but I just think being a young 24-year-old goalkeeper, the chances to come to a club such as Chelsea, you can't turn it down. The opportunities are here for me and will only stand me in good stead for the future.' 

Affable Ancelotti 

Being among the first group to return for pre-season, Turnball has already had a chance to form early impressions of Carlo Ancelotti: 

'Great, fantastic, his English is quite good actually and I am looking forward to working with such a top class manager as he is,'  

'It will be an interesting season; we are all looking forward to it. He has been great, he loves to chat with the players and have a laugh with the lads, it is all good really and I am sure he will be a great asset to the club.'