Ronald Koeman tried to persuade Calum Chambers to stay at Southampton.
Southampton boss Ronald Koeman has revealed that he made a last minute plea to Calum Chambers, in an attempt to persuade the defender to stay at St Mary’s, reports the Daily Star.
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“I said to Chambers: ‘Really, I don’t think it’s a good moment to change and to go to Arsenal because I think you need to develop yourself much more’,” said the Dutchman.
“Normally, you will play here much more than you will play at Arsenal, but finally it’s always the decision of the player,” he added.
Despite Koeman’s suggestion that the defender would not play as much at the Emirates, Chambers has played 31 times in all competitions for Arsene Wenger’s side this campaign, already seven more appearances than he made in the whole of last season with Southampton.
The 20-year-old broke into the Saints’ first team as a right-back, but found his opportunities limited due to good form of Nathaniel Clyne.
This season, and following his £16m move to Arsenal, Chambers has been used more often in a central role, and the ease at which he seemed to adapt to the new position gave England manager, Roy Hodgson the confidence to select him on three occasions for the national side.