BRING ON GERMANY
Confident Chambers is relishing last-four clash with old foes
IT was late on Saturday night in the meeting room of England’s hotel when several members of the Under 21 squad began nodding their heads approvingly.
They had gathered in front of a huge TV and discovered Germany would be the obstacle between them and place in the final of Euro 2017. But rather than fret about a collision with their most bitter rivals, the mood was buoyant and could be summed up in three words: bring it on.
A collision with the Germans is a significant step up on the three assignments they have faced so far in Poland but England have grown into the tournament and are ready for the biggest challenge tomorrow night in Tychy.
‘They are a strong team and they’ve got some strong individual talent,’ said Calum Chambers, the Arsenal defender. ‘We all watched their game (against Italy) and when the news came through, it was like: “Yes! We’re playing Germany! This is it!” We’ll give it everything we’ve got.’
Chambers has been a standout performer here for head coach Aidy Boothroyd and his partnership with fellow central defender Alfie Mawson has improved with every game. He has clearly benefited from a season on loan at Middlesbrough.
There has always a been significant focus on Chambers, ever since he moved to the Emirates Stadium from Southampton in the summer of 2014 and found himself immediately being capped at senior level by Roy Hodgson after only a handful games for Arsenal.
After a spell in which his development was checked, the 22-year- old is moving in the right direction once again. The platform he received at the Riverside, he says, was crucial for that to happen, so too has been the constant advice and support of a World Cup winner.
‘The one player who has helped me a lot would be Per Mertesacker,’ said Chambers. ‘ He was almost like my mentor for a couple of years. I’ve never seen a player so professional, dedicated. For him mentally, every little thing he could do he did. That’s rubbed off.
‘If I have a good tournament, it would be great and I’ll go back to Arsenal pre-season and doing the best I can and seeing what happens. But at the moment my focus is on England — and beating Germany.’
England will remain based in Krakow rather than head to Tychy, which is 50 miles away. Nathaniel Chalobah and Nathan Redmond, both of whom were substituted against Poland on Thursday, continue to receive treatment on muscle injuries.