Kepa reveals he snubbed Poch before agreeing Real loan from Chelsea

Kepa Arrizabalaga admits he chose to leave Chelsea to join Real Madrid on loan despite Mauricio Pochettino's attempts to keep him at Stamford Bridge.

The Spanish stopper was recruited on a season-long deal to cover for injured Los Blancos No1 Thibaut Courtois.

And the 28-year-old has said there was little deliberation before signing for the LaLiga giants.

Arrizabalaga told Marca: "It is true that Pochettino wanted me to stay and told me that I was going to play, that he trusted me.

"But I thought that a change would be good for me.

"Thomas Tuchel called me. We were close to going to [Bayern] Munich. But due to the circumstances of the [Courtois] injury, the possibility arose.

"There wasn't much to think about. In the end, Real Madrid is Real Madrid."

Arrizabalaga has lined up alongside England midfielder Jude Bellingham in both of his two appearances for Carlo Ancelotti's men so far this term.

On the 20-year-old, who has scored five goals in his opening four matches for Real, Arrizabalaga added: "The truth is that the start he has had has been spectacular.

"I knew him from meeting him when he was a very young player at Birmingham.

"Then last year, in the Champions League, we faced Borussia Dortmund and he was there as the maximum threat.

"It is a little surprising how old he is, how mature he is and how he behaves on the field."

Kepa will hope to reclaim his starting spot for his country when La Roja take on Georgia in Friday's Euro 2024 qualifier.