Back in January it was rumoured that Calum Chambers would return to Southampton on loan for the rest of the season, now stories of his return are gathering pace.

In his first and only season of playing in the Premier League for Saints, Calum Chambers started 18 games plus another 4 as sub, it would have been a lot more if Mauricio Pochettino had seemingly rated him highly enough to use him in a three month spell where he sat on the bench for every game but never go on the pitch.

In two seasons at Arsenal he has started only 19 Premier League games but only 2 of them were in the season just gone, indeed add only another 10 off the bench and his Premier League season for the Gunners was almost non existent, if fact it was only in the FA Cup he started any games of note, even in Europe he managed only 3 appearances off the bench totaling 12 minutes.

So it seems that if he thought he had a future at the Emirates back in January, he is perhaps starting to accept that he might not have now, at least in the short term.

So he is being linked with a move back to Saints, although that might only be on loan initially, the problem with a permanent move to St Mary's or indeed elsewhere is that he was lured to Arsenal by big money, he will not get anywhere near that elsewhere.

This could be a very good option for Saints, if Soares departs as seems likely judging by his appearances or lack of them late in the season, then Chambers would be a good replacement with his ability to either play as a traditional right back or as part of a back three, or indeed as was mooted as an out and out central defender.

The player himself said.

“For me, I just want to play games, so, yeah, that’s it for me.

“But at the moment I am not thinking too much about next season, I just want to go and enjoy my summer. Then we’ll get back at it soon.”

“Playing games is what is all about. Getting experience, getting game-time and that’s what is key at the moment for players our age and experiences.

“The more game-time we get, the more experience you’ll get and obviously the more it’ll benefit you.”

So it seems that he has realised that unless he plays for a side that can give him regular football, then he will start to stagnate and lose his way, although he was part of the England U21 team that won the Toulon tournament, he will be disappointed that he is now seemingly out of the contention for the full side, he won three caps shortly after joining Arsenal two years ago, but was soon dropped back down to the U21 side.

He will be well aware that h will not get back into the full squad unless he is playing regularly and therefore a move for next season seems to be his only option for real game time unless Arsene Wenger has a massive change of heart about his opinion of Chambers ability.

So would expect the player to be plying his trade away from the emirates next season the only two questions being whether the deal is permanent or on loan and just where he will be heading.

Saints being his ex club seem firm favourites, others mooted are Crystal Palace, Bournemouth, Swansea and Watford, wit respect to them, they are unlikely to offer him much more than a relegation battle judging by this season just gone, I would hope that he is back in a Saints shirt by August.

Photo: Action Images

Macclesfieldsaintlad added 11:20 - May 31 Please no i'm sorry but i swear he was part of our downfall in the Pochettino season we barely won when he played he didn't tackle wasn't as good as Clyne end of. Cuco Martina sign a new contract please sell Cedric get Domonic Iorfa Right Back sorted!
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saintsnutcase added 11:23 - May 31 I think this lad has a severe attitude problem -- he thinks he is far better than he is, at the moment. He played a few very good games for us - notably in the home game vs Arsenal, when he was superb - but he was never a first choice player. He was over-promoted by Hodgson. And he has clearly gone backwards under Wenger, which is what happens to lots of young players at Arsenal. I doubt if he is good enough to be our first choice right back next season - though he is probably better than either Soares or Martina. As a utility reserve defender, he could be useful.

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bstokesaint added 12:19 - May 31 Well I personally would welcome him back, and would love to see him be successful in a second term with the Saints. From what I saw of him he looked a very good prospect. Let's think about this rationally, if a player gets their head turned at an early age, leaves for a "big club" and then makes a decent return after an unsuccessful period away, then that can only be a good example for other youngsters coming through. They might also want to Google Walcott and Oxlade-Chamberlain.. What's more Saints are £16m richer for the whole debacle so we can afford to be forgiving.

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SanMarco added 12:29 - May 31 Arsenal, Chelsea and the two Manchesters are the 'big four' in my view and will always turn the heads of any player. They all have the habit of hoovering up young players they don't need and then loaning them out. Its when the non big four wannabes come calling that most of us get upset. I don't blame Chambers for going and personally have not noticed a particular 'attitude' problem but then I haven't followed his progress closely, mainly because he has hardly been on the pitch. I would welcome Chambers back IF he wants to come AND is good enough. Those two things should be the sole criteria. Also we are big enough now to not mess around with loans. It should be a signing or nothing.

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aceofthebase added 19:02 - May 31 We didn't want him to leave and I think most would welcome him back. At the time of his leaving I did not think there was much difference between Clyne and Chambers performances. They both played well going forward and they didn't get outpaced in defence and most important they prevented the crosses coming over. Miles better than Soares and just better than Martina, he also could play in other defensive positions and could have quite a future.

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Sanguin added 09:50 - Jun 1 Chambers was never worth the £16m Arsenal paid for him, we were right to sell him. But he is better than Soares or Martina. I think right-back is our weakest position in the squad, I rate Soares more highly than Martina but clearly Koeman doesn’t. I don’t think Martina is of sufficient quality.
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davenbennett added 13:20 - Jun 1 Watched Chambers with England in the Toulon tournament last week on TV. Chambers did look dodgy on occasions playing as CB. If we could get him cheap, then good squad player as can play RB, CB or Def MF. Some say best games with Arse was in Def MF role. I always thought was better than Targett at full back,, as seemed to have more basic speed. But not really developed at Arse. So, yes get him back if good price.

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