Blues boss Paul Lambert has reiterated that he wants Luke Chambers to stay at Portman Road and continue as his captain next season, despite reported interest in the 33-year-old from MLS side the Chicago Fire.

Central defender Chambers is out of contract at the end of the season but with the Blues having an option to keep him for a further season.

“Luke’s [contract has] got the option hasn’t it, so I think Luke and Marcus were talking, that’s ongoing,” Lambert said.

“Obviously there’s the option anyway but regarding the story, I didn’t know that until yesterday, that story.

“Is it true? I don’t know? Is it false? I don’t know. You can never stop speculation. That goes with everything.

“You guys [the media] do that for a living. It’s something I don’t really go right into until somebody picks up the phone or it comes from the top, ‘Listen, this is happening, that’s happening’.

“I don’t really pay too much attention to it, but I know Luke and Marcus had a good conversation the other week, so I’ve just left it with those two.”

He added: “Marcus knew because I spoke to Luke a few weeks ago about it and he knows my thoughts on the whole situation.

“He’s been great, he really has been great, as a person as a footballer. I think he just wants his future sorted out, like everybody else.

“If there’s interest from the Chicago Fire or whoever, whether that’s true or not I don’t know but I know Marcus and Luke have spoken.”

Does Lambert want Chambers at Portman Road next season as his skipper? “That’s it, absolutely, I’ve said that all along, it’s whether something can be done. That’s out of my hands that, but he’s been great for me, he’s been a great captain.”

Photo: TWTD

Suffolkboy added 17:28 - Mar 7 Undoubtedly the correct decision and professional judgement ; fully support PL COYB
5

blueboy1981 added 17:31 - Mar 7 .......... not such a good idea. Huge Chambo' fan, but he's had his time, his better days as a player are gone - he good be either adequate in League 1 at best, or found wanting again, as he so often has been this season. My guess would be the latter. Good Skipper yes - shame his play is not as impressive, and it won't be now.
3

afcfee added 17:31 - Mar 7 Like there isn't pace in League 1.
10

afcfee added 17:34 - Mar 7 Hopefully the MLS come calling just need a bid for Skuse now but I won't hold my breath.
5

blueboy1981 added 17:35 - Mar 7 ......... Chambo' has to be looking for a two year deal somewhere now - cannot see Evans going anywhere near that to be honest. Rightly so.
4

therein61 added 17:36 - Mar 7 If retained his leadership qualities will be best used off the pitch he is an inspiration around the club and I believe a future manager/coach
3

blueboy1981 added 17:36 - Mar 7 ........ should read - 'could be' . Sorry - fat fingers, or something !
0

blueboy1981 added 17:36 - Mar 7 ........ should read - 'could be' . Sorry - fat fingers, or something !
0

Cakeman added 17:39 - Mar 7 I know there is very mixed opinions about Luke Chambers but for my opinion for what is worth is I would like to see him to stay on as Captain. We will certainly need a few strong characters in div 1 and I cannot think of any stronger than him.
2

afcfee added 17:51 - Mar 7 Us fans get too attached to players at times if they ain't good enough it doesn't matter how good the character is, especially on a championship wage in league 1.
5

floridaboy added 18:00 - Mar 7 Unless PL has an experienced pro to come in next season then we are going to need a few experienced players next season especially if PL is going to field a team of mainly young players. I for one will be happy for Chambers to stay and help bring the younger players through especially if PL intends to give Luke Woolfenden a starting place.
-1

floridaboy added 18:00 - Mar 7 Unless PL has an experienced pro to come in next season then we are going to need a few experienced players next season especially if PL is going to field a team of mainly young players. I for one will be happy for Chambers to stay and help bring the younger players through especially if PL intends to give Luke Woolfenden a starting place.
1

Radlett_blue added 18:22 - Mar 7 ITFC have an option over Chambers. If Lambert really does want to keep him, why hasn't he had a word with Marcus "has been brilliant" Evans & get him to exercise this? Is the poor management of our playing squad over the last 10 years or so largely down to Evans?
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sixtyblue added 19:07 - Mar 7 We have got to cut the wage bill.I'm afraid Luke has slowed considerably in the last eighteen months and he displayed many times when he is not up to pace how quick he is to blame the nearest person to him.Youngplayers in league one will just skip by him.
5

ITFCsince73 added 19:14 - Mar 7 Thankfully can't see this happening. Luke will be after one last decent contract before he retires. And we certainly aren't in the position to offer anything like his reported 75k per month that we have been giving him.
4

rkeane added 19:25 - Mar 7 Worrying really as Lambert has been here long enough to have seen Chambers deficiencies. League One won't be any more forgiving with the defensive frailties we have. Still everyone seems to love Lambert, it seems he can do no wrong .
5

cat added 19:51 - Mar 7 If personality played football he'd be the real ‘Ramos', unfortunately it cant.
5

ThaiBlue added 20:42 - Mar 7 Hope this stays out of your hands Mr Lambert and Chambers stays out of the Team.
4

RobsonWark added 20:52 - Mar 7 OMG!!! We are heading for Division 2 :(
0

warwickblueboy added 20:53 - Mar 7 I'm staggered by this! I'm surprised at PL actually. MM would have played him in goal such was his undying, blinkered view of this non footballer! PS was too scared to leave him out despite threatening to but I thought more of PL. what is it about this guy? He's absolutely everything that is wrong with this team and I'm so sick of hearing people bang on about how much he cares for the club and then acknowledge that he's a liability. Football wise he has to be in the top 5 of worse players to don the shirt in recent years. MM continuing to “shoe horn” him into the team at RB when he can't run or pass actually unwittingly began this nonsense about him doing anything for the team and encouraging this view of him being a legend.

7

heathen66 added 21:29 - Mar 7 I like many on here are surpised by PLs insistance on not only playing him week in week out, but on trying to get him another contract. Has been awful this season (and longer) plus has far too much influence around the club. If Lambert really is serious about rebuilding then the club needs to sever the old ties...starting with Chambers (and Skuse). Hurst found it difficult to change the club with many not willing to change and make themselves better players, as they are far too happy with things 'comfortable'. If we do offer him another year it should be on L1 wages...simple but should only be a bit part player helping the so called youngsters with his alleged leadership.

3

Dissboyitfc added 21:34 - Mar 7 reading this story fills me with dread, reminds of MM referring to Douglas as different class! Very worrying indeed!
2

Buryblue78 added 22:45 - Mar 7 Luke Chambers has been a good servant to this club both on and off the field but the legs have gone or are going IMO and that won't change next season I'd like to thank him for all he has done and retain him as either club captain(non playing) or mentor for those coming through and help him get his coaching badges I think his best position over the next couple of years would be alongside PL in the dugout I'd hope he could organise our defence better from there than he has this season Someone he respects needs to tell him his time has come I don't want to see him try a season too many as some have done If he wants to try Chicago then I would say thanks and good luck

0

TonyHumesIpswich added 23:10 - Mar 7 iTFCsince73 75K per month wages? Are you sure? Wow if that's the case.
1

prebbs007 added 05:09 - Mar 8 NO !!!!!!!!
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