Calum Chambers: 'Vital for me to play first-team football'

By Giuseppe Labellarte, Reporter | 25 June 2017

Chambers wants first-team football next season

Arsenal defender Calum Chambers says that he needs to be playing consistent first-team football next season in order to keep developing his game.

Arsenal defender Calum Chambers has claimed that he needs to be playing consistent first-team football next season so as to keep developing his game.

The 22-year-old spent last season on loan at Middlesbrough and was one of the few standout performers as the Teessiders were relegated from the Premier League.

He has since headed to Poland as part of the England squad for Under-21 Euro 2017, and has played every minute of the Young Lions' journey to the semi-final stage.

Chambers told talkSPORT: "This season, personally for me, I was a bit frustrated I couldn't help keep Middlesbrough in the Premier League.

"Going there and doing a year on loan with them, it's a great club; the players all welcomed me in really well. I had a thoroughly enjoyable year there; I played regularly and got some valuable experiences that I'm gaining from.

"In this tournament I feel the experiences I got this year and the game time I got this year are helping me and I want to take that forward. Next season I want to do the same. I want to play football, and I think it's vital at this age – as a young player – to play as many games as possible to get experience."

Chambers is rumoured to be on the radar of former side Southampton, as well as Newcastle United and Everton.