Chambers leans on Mertesacker to help tackle the Germans
Old rivals bar England’s route to European final Arsenal connection can lift Under-21 squad’s bid
As England’s Under-21s prepare for their semi-final against Germany, Arsenal defender Calum Chambers will draw on lessons from his mentor, Per Mertesacker, to find a way to help his country beat their old rivals.
Chambers may have spent last season on loan at Middlesbrough, but it is the time working under Mertesacker’s wing in London that enabled him to blossom on loan.
The Germany defender has been a constant source of encouragement to Chambers since the Englishman signed from Southampton in 2014, tirelessly passing on his experience and knowledge. Chambers will always be grateful for the assistance but will look to use it against Mertesacker’s countrymen.
“The one player who has helped me a lot would be Per Mertesacker,” said Chambers, who has attracted interest from Newcastle United and his old club this summer.
“Being in the same position, he was almost like my mentor for a couple of years. I have never seen a player so professional, dedicated.
“That’s rubbed off on me, there were times when he would look at me and say, ‘You could do this’ and that’s rubbed off. That’s helped me realise the little things you do get you where you want to be. I feel as though I’ve had a good tournament so far, but you have to play well because of the competition for places.”
Chambers does not know where he will be next season and is not interested until he returns to preseason training with Arsenal in July. Having seen the Under-20s win the World Cup this month, there is mounting confidence in the Under-21 camp that they can be crowned European champions.
However, tomorrow’s opponents are a step up in class from the teams already faced this summer. England lost to Germany in the final of the same tournament in 2009 and in a friendly in March, but Chambers says Aidy Boothroyd’s squad have no inferiority complex.
“England versus Germany are