Arsenal's Calum Chambers Could Be A Perfect Fit For Crystal Palace

Arsenal's Calum Chambers Could Be A Perfect Fit For Crystal Palace
15:53, 24 Jul 2017

Middlesbrough’s return to the Premier League was something of a shambles to say the least.

The team initially struggled for goals and then faltered in their quest to deny opponents as their time back in England’s top tier ended not with a bang, but a whimper. That being said, there were a handful of players who came away from Boro’s disappointing season with some credit. Ben Gibson, Alvaro Negredo and Calum Chambers were standout performers under first Aitor Karanka, then Steve Agnew, but unfortunately for the returning Championship side, the latter pair were only signed on loan.

With Gibson, Boro have themselves a valuable asset to sell if required, while Negredo and Chambers returned to Valencia and Arsenal, respectively, following the culmination of their spells. Yet Chambers looks set to keep his place in the Premier League, even if it won’t be for Arsenal. The former Southampton trainee has been attracting interest from Crystal Palace, who are yet to really make an impact in the transfer market this summer.

Ruben Loftus-Cheek has already joined from Chelsea on loan, while Jairo Riedewald is closing in on a switch to Selhurst Park. Chambers’ capture, though, would send a huge statement of intent in the capital, however. At 22 years of age, the Arsenal defender has plenty still to learn within the game, yet his solid form for Boro last season suggests he is improving with each passing week. What’s important, however, is that he is the ideal defender for a team managed by Frank de Boer. Chambers looks to play the ball out from the back, which is exactly how the Dutchman prefers his sides to play.

Palace’s pursuit of Riedewald can be summarised well in that the 20-year-old had a better pass success rate (92.4%) than any other player to make 15 or more Eredivisie appearances last season. Chambers’ completion rate may have been significantly lower (78%), but that shouldn’t be a stick with which to beat the youngster. Boro averaged a mediocre 47.9% possession in the Premier League last season, while their pass success rate was an underwhelming 77.3%. Now while Palace fared worse in both parameters - 46.8% and 73.4%, respectively - much of that was down to Sam Allardyce’s appointment, with the former England boss routinely implementing a managerial approach that favoured long-ball football and little possession.

De Boer will aim to bring in a possession-based game for Palace, with Chambers well versed in such a style from his time with Arsenal. While his career may have stalled a tad following his big money arrival from Southampton in 2014, he’s a Premier League experienced centre-back, with his added versatility a bonus. Capable of also playing right-back and in midfield, De Boer can rest assured that Chambers is a solid performer in all three positions, but his primary focus should be on developing and moulding him as a centre-back.

In both Chambers and Riedewald, Palace are likely to have an exciting young centre-back partnership to take the team forward. While both have their rough edges that need smoothing, De Boer is familiar with the latter’s style of play and the former is experienced in the Premier League, with the duo showing plenty of promise to suggest they can form an effective relationship at the back. While Scott Dann, Damien Delaney and James Tomkins are all solid options at the heart of the defence, the incoming duo offer a more cultured approach to defending, which is quickly becoming the norm in England’s top tier.

Upon his appointment, De Boer insisted he wanted to review the squad before making any moves in the transfer market, with the defence now a crucial port of call for the Dutchman.

While Palace will have liked to have made Mamadou Sakho’s loan move permanent this summer on the back of his successful time in the capital, De Boer was quickly aware that improvements were needed at the back. Chambers was a shining light for a dreary Middlesbrough side last season and in a more structured team, he has the potential to really kick on and make a name for himself. Should Palace get this deal over the line, they’ll land a player who has plenty of room to improve and significantly bolster their defence in the process.

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