Arsenal Vs FC Koln: Versatility will kill Calum Chambers

Calum Chambers has great versatility, as proven by his playing at right wing-back on Thursday against FC Koln. But, while it may serve the Arsenal squad well as adaptive and varied depth, it will kill his development.

Positions require a honing of talents. While adapting from one to the other is a skill that requires game intelligence, and is a valuable one to squads that require versatile depth to move through long and lingering seasons, for the development of players, it is important that they are able to define their most natural position, and subsequently progress their skills towards excelling at that position.

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Versatility, although often seen as a strength, is something that has cost Arsenal youngsters in the past. In fact, even in the current squad, players like Danny Welbeck, Jack Wilshere and Aaron Ramsey have all suffered because of a lack of definition surrounding where they should be played.

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And during Thursday night’s 1-0 loss to FC Koln in the Europa League, we saw another example of how versatility is a vice, not a virtue. Arsene Wenger fielded Calum Chambers at right wing-back, rather than the usual right-sided centre-half of the back three that he has been playing. It was painfully clear that Chambers is not a wing-back.

The issue for Chambers, though, is that he was not all that bad. He did a job. He was serviceable. He was good enough for him to be played at full-back or wing-back again, even though they are clearly not the positions that are best suited to his skills and abilities.

The question of Chambers’ best position, though, is not an easy one to answer. Is he a full-back? Is he a wing-back? Is he a centre-half? Is he a midfielder, as some would, perhaps ambitiously, claim him to be?

And this is becoming an increasingly pertinent for Chambers, who will turn 23 in January. No longer should he be considered a prospective, talented youngster. He needs to be a prominent and significant figure in the squad. And in the starting XI. For his development to be completed, he needs to master a position.

Personally, I believe him to be a centre-half. Although he may have the capabilities to handle the responsibilities of a midfield or full-back role, I feel that he is at his best when he plays at the heart of the defence. His rare combination of size and speed make him a unique talent at the position, if he ever plays there,

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Chambers is in danger of slipping through the cracks of various positions. He may have natural ability. But it needs to be fine-tuned in reference to a certain position. His versatility is most certainly a strength. But it can also be a problem, and, right now, it is more the latter.