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Chambo: Ipswich is My Home and I Want to Stay
Sunday, 30th Apr 2017 12:01

Skipper Luke Chambers has confirmed that he wants to stay with the Blues next season, Ipswich having become his home over the last five years.

The 31-year-old, who was targeted by his former club Nottingham Forest on the final day of the January transfer window, is set to be out of contract at the end of the season, but with manager Mick McCarthy revealing on Thursday that the Blues will be taking up their option to keep the defender for a further year.

Writing in yesterday’s match programme Chambers said: “I find myself out of contract at the end of the season but I’m hoping to stay.

“I’m 31 and I still feel I have a lot of years ahead of me and a lot to offer the side. I’ve kept myself ticking over and, touch wood, I’ve been injury free for the majority of my career. I still feel I’ve got a lot to offer.

“Ipswich has become my home for the past five years and I think everyone who knows me realises how much I care for this club.”

Having moved back to his preferred role at the heart of the defence in recent months Chambers admits he’d rather not return to playing the full-back position he has occupied for most of his time at Portman Road.

“I’ve played at centre-half since January and feel my form has consistently improved,” he added. “That’s my natural position and I think that has shown in my performances since then.

“In an ideal world I would rather not play as a right-back again, but it’s about doing what is right for the team.”

The Kettering-born defender is yet to miss a single minute of Town’s league season and will be looking to complete an ever-present 2016/17 when the Blues visit - and perhaps relegate - his old club Forest next Sunday.

“I’m hoping to end the season having played every minute of the Championship campaign,” he said. “That’s a stat I’m proud of. I think I’ve played the most minutes out of any player in the league.”


Photo: TWTD



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Kentish_Tractor added 12:14 - Apr 30
Will be interesting to see how he plays vs Forest next week. He clearly still has some affinity with them, after having played for them for so many years and being so close to re-joining them in January.

Bearing in mind what's at stake for Forest - what are the odds on him giving away a 'needless' penalty, 'accidentally' scoring an own-goal, or shall we say, not giving 100% because of their position?

I'm glad he's staying however as been a great servant for Town and is a great bloke and honest family man (he lived in our road when he first joined Town and when I lived in Ipswich).
-44

TractorCam added 12:40 - Apr 30
What an idiotic comment
22

theblueginger added 12:42 - Apr 30
Seriously Kentish? You think so little of our Captain to suggest he would stop his old club getting relegated? What people seem to forget is his departure from Forest in 2012 was not on amazing terms. As Captain he became something of a fall guy for the team's poor performances and I believe his missus was fighting post-natal depression.

I for one am delighted he's staying. He was shoehorned out to RB for too long, and I am pleased he has actually now stated he doesn't want to go back there. At CB since Jan he has been consistently 7/10. 31 is really not old for someone who is very rarely injured.

The squad needs enough of an overhaul without finding a replacement for Chambers, on and off the pitch.
28

Ryorry added 12:56 - Apr 30
Well said Chambo :)
9

jas0999 added 13:00 - Apr 30
Terrible right back. Good experienced championship centre back. Excellent captain.

Deserves a new deal. Still think he's been treated badly by the club. Deserved to know his future much sooner. Thats life under Evans though. Sadly.
14

cat added 13:06 - Apr 30
There is no questioning Chambers integrity, commitment etc etc, but for me his footballing abilities are severely limited. He is a massive part of the HOOFBALL problem which has unfortunately been part of our footballing MAKE UP over the last couple of seasons. I am not blinkered enough to realise I am very much in the minority here, but before commensing with the down arrows, if you don't agree please explain?????

First the DINO says his staying, now Chambers, from my point of view it can't get any worse, Thank feck for AJ!!!!

2

iaintaylorx added 13:23 - Apr 30
No one can question his passion and commitment to the club. Obviously he is a centre back, so leave him there and let Emmanuel blossom on the right!
14

cartman1972 added 14:18 - Apr 30
I for one am very pleased about this. I was right next to the dug out yesterday and could see chambers listening and giving his opinion. He was excellent yesterday... Sadly the midfield was awful and we're found wanting.... McCarthy in fairness was bang on with his shouts during the game shame no one listened to his instructions
4

prebsa added 15:03 - Apr 30
Poor right back, good centre back, good captain. But not good enough for a team that wants to get promoted. Himself and Berra can't pass the ball and just lump it into space and hope someone is quick enough to get there. Maybe there fault or maybe micks who knows.

Mick Out
5

12th_Man added 15:14 - Apr 30
He wants to stay we need him to stay so get the paperwork sorted
9

CornardBlue added 15:23 - Apr 30
Top player and person, man of match for Town against Wednesday, i would give him 2 year contract and play him centre half every game alongside Webster next season.
6

ArnieM added 15:53 - Apr 30
With the exception of Webster , ALL our CB's are Hoofers of they ball and not particularly comfortable on the ball. We need another Webster type of player, and I'd play Chambo in between the paint of them.
Berra won't be staying
Smith isn't good enough
Knudsen at CB would be the lonely place he'd get in my team , but as second string
Kenlock is the first choice LB
Spence is currently just ahead of Emmanuel for RB

Overall our defence is decidedly Championship " average" and gives away far too many soft goals and Gives away too many soft free kicks on the edge of the area with clumsy tackles.

A couple of quality player in defence, midfield and attack would see Town pushing for play offs.
1

Seasider added 16:00 - Apr 30
like Cornard Blue,I thought Chambo was our best player yesterday.

He is not I admit that good with his distribution;but what he lacks in that area he more than makes up in others,and his commitment has never wavered despite the goings on.

I am hopeful that several matters are in abeyance re contracts etc,because Marcus is about to relieve Mr McCarthy of his management duties;but perhaps I am' pi...ng in the wind'to use one of his sayings.
4

Churchman75 added 16:22 - Apr 30
How about Douglas as a right back next season?
1

Sam added 17:09 - Apr 30
Been playing well recently but yesterday gave the ball away far too much. Half happy, half sad.
3

martin587 added 17:23 - Apr 30
He is the only true leader we have so I will be pleased if he stays for at least another season,that is of course if he stays at CB.With Webster and Smith we should be fine as I feel Berra will leave in the summer.


2

WestSussexBlue added 18:22 - Apr 30
Best thing I've read since Town 3 Newcastle 1.
Great News Chambo.
2

carsey added 19:03 - Apr 30
On balance I'm happy with Chambers staying provided McCarthy leaves him in the middle where he is effective and knows what he's doing. He's a leader and is the only player who looks like he cares. He may not have the silky skills of Webster on the ball but surely he can be encouraged to win the ball and give to a more creative player rather than hoof it.
2

LancsBlue added 20:14 - Apr 30
All those saying they are pleased he is staying need to consider where he will play. If he plays centre-back he will be keeping Webster out of the team or force him to play on his wrong side both of which would be bonkers.. Says he would rather not play at right-back and most would agree with him. So his only other option is to play on his wrong side. Smith playing on his natural side would be a much more preferential option.and would compliment Webster well. That only leaves a bench role and his wages are too high for that. For me Chambers is part of the problem at PR, not part of the solution. We need to move on.
5

cat added 20:28 - Apr 30
LancsBlue - Nail on head springs to mind, you obviously know your stuff. Good work!
2

Garv added 22:20 - Apr 30
Pretty damning for the manager. "Rather not play right back, CB my natural position".

Even more incredible then that he played there for so long. It will be what MM will be remembered for unfortunately.

4

Razor added 10:23 - May 1
OK he is not our best passer of the ball but as a DEFENDER in the correct position he is superb----travelling away you appreciate him even more.

Great news that he is staying and wants to stay in my book.
1

warwickblue added 14:01 - May 1
Luke Chambers is a good man. I'm pleased he is not moving on.
1

Dissboyitfc added 14:32 - May 1
i state what has been said many times, poor right back but a reasonable CB. With that in mind he should not be holding record number of minutes on pitch, he should not have been on the pitch as a right back!!!

One of the reasons i want MM out!!!
2

Dissboyitfc added 14:35 - May 1
KentishTractor... you say "great bloke and honest" then say about giving penalty away or not trying, the mind Boggles with some of the comments on here!
2


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