The Contract Extension-
Calum Chambers has recently signed a new contract extension with Arsenal which will keep him at the club for two more years. The English defender’s contract would have run out in June 2019, but the new deal will see him remain until June 2021, Arsenal confirmed today. Chambers caught the eye of Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger during his Southampton days when Mauricio Pochettino was then manager of the Saints. Chambers impressed heavily as a teenager before joining Arsenal in 2014 for a fee of £16 million.
The versatile central defender went on to have a good start at Arsenal where he managed to make 23 Premier League appearances for the Gunners in his debut season. Chambers was seen as a long-term prospect for Arsene Wenger’s defensive woes as he was just 19 when he arrived at the Emirates.
However, unfortunately, Chambers suffered injuries that reduced his playing time and kept him out of footballing action. The rise of fellow team-mate Hector Bellerin also added competition, which was not required for Chambers, who was struggling to get a grip of his position in the team.
Chambers then spent last season on loan at Middlesbrough, where he could not help the Riverside club from relegation. But the season-long loan put in doubts about Chambers’ future about him staying at the Arsenal or leaving to play regular football.
Crystal Palace were looking to strengthen their defense and bring in Chambers to Selhurst Park for a fee of £16m but their effort was thwarted by Wenger. Former Premier League Champions Leicester City also made a £20m bid for Chambers but Arsenal were reluctant to let go of one of their stars who has fallen down the pecking order of late.
The England international has now put to bed the speculation of leaving the Emirates after signing a contract extension for two years. This could be great news for Arsenal and Chambers whose future may only look positive from now onwards.
“I know I’m still a young player and I want to have my best years playing for this football club,” Chambers said on his Twitter page. “I want to win as many trophies with Arsenal as possible. I’m going to repay the fans for the faith they’ve shown in me. Can’t wait to get going again.”
Chambers is still only 22 and has a lot to prove to himself and his manager. But the new contract extension should boost his confidence and morale which would keep him at the club for another four seasons.
The Editor’s View- What Does The Future Hold For Him?
The 22 year old England international has not been able to make the kind of impact that he would have liked to, with Wenger having high hopes from him when he signed him from the Saints. He has been away on loan at Middlesbrough in the previous campaign and though he might be in north London this time around, there is no guarantee what sort of a role he will be playing. He is still quite young and can probably reclaim his spot in the playing eleven, if his performances do improve.
Wenger has quite a few options at the back, though he would like to fortify his defensive line as much as possible, with the intention of winning some major titles this term.
