By Gareth James
Calum Chambers is loving turning back the clock and reinventing himself as a midfield player.
The former Arsenal and England centre back star has rekindled his dream to make the grade as a midfielder at Cardiff City this season and is still frustrated he didn’t get a crack at his favoured role at The Emirates after returning from a successful loan season at Fulham.
He has been moved up the pitch by Bluebirds boss Omer Riza since Christmas and since then his relegation-threatened side haven’t lost.
On Saturday lunchtime he will face the acid test of his conversion when Cardiff host arch-rivals Swansea City in the south Wales derby in the capital.
Whoever plays in midfield for the Bluebirds will be responsible for closing down dangermen Liam Cullen and Matt Grimes.
Cullen is the Swans’ top scorer this season with nine and scored two on his last outing at the Cardiff City Stadium for Wales against Iceland.
Grimes is the captain and playmaker for the visitors and has featured in every minute of the last 11 derbies – winning seven and drawing two.
“I’ve been loving playing in midfield. It’s always a position I’ve felt I could play throughout my career,” said Chambers.
We are delighted to confirm that Yousef Salech has joined the #Bluebirds from IK Sirius on a four-and-a-half-year deal. ✍️
Our new recruit, who today celebrates his 23rd birthday, is eligible to make his debut in tomorrow’s South Wales derby. #CityAsOne
— Cardiff City FC (@CardiffCityFC) January 17, 2025
“I first had an opportunity to do that at Fulham when I was there on loan. I had a good run at it and I absolutely loved it – it’s a position that suits me and what I can bring to the game.”
Chambers was first pushed into the middle of the park at Fulham on Sunday 11 November 2018 for a trip to Anfield.
Liverpool boasted Mo Salah, Xherdan Shaqiri, Fabinho and Geroginio Wijnaldum in their side, while Fulham had Tom Cairney, Andre Schurrle and Frank Anguissa alongside Chambers in their midfield.
Although Liverpool won 2-0, Chambers came out of the experiment very well and played throughout the season in his new position.
He made 33 appearances that season and won 48% of the votes to carry off the club’s Player of the Season award.
“I went back to Arsenal after that season, and it was a bit disappointing because I didn’t get the chance to stay in midfield.
Here is your South Wales derby programme cover!
This design was used across three seasons between 1969 and 1972, including our famous win over Real Madrid in 1971! #CityAsOne | @CardiffCityFC pic.twitter.com/aSJ9yP1VOS
— The Bluebird (@TheBluebirdProg) January 17, 2025
“It was strange because it was something I wanted to do,” said Chambers, who returned to find the likes of Mesut Ozil, Dani Ceballos, Grant Xhaka and Matteo Guendouzi blocking his ambitions.
“I went back in a really good way but it just didn’t happen for me, which was frustrating. It was stuff I had to deal with, but it’s nice to get another chance at it now.
“My reference as a player is to play in midfield. I’ve learned from my experiences of playing at centre back what I would want from a midfielder playing in front of me.
“I’ve taken that into my role there. I like to get about, break up play, get involved going forward and link-up between defence and attack as much as I can.
“The action always tends to be in the middle of the pitch against Swansea. They have a distinctive style of play, although in the away game it didn’t show as much.
“Derbies have a different edge to them and sometimes teams play in a different way because there is a different feel to the game. We have to be prepared for anything.
“We’ve been working on how we play against them and who is going to be marking and pressing who. Those are some impressive stats from Matt Grimes.”
