Sky Sports journalist Michael Bridge has been talking to GiveMeSport regarding Aston Villa’s move for Calum Chambers.

The Lowdown: Out of the blue

Chambers was Villa’s fourth and final senior arrival in the January transfer window, arriving out of the blue from Arsenal.

There were no rumours regarding the 27-year-old swapping the Emirates Stadium for Villa Park, with the versatile defender penning a three-and-a-half-year deal in the Midlands.

It has since been reported that Arsenal failed to activate a clause in the defender’s deal before the end of 2021 which would have kept him at the club for a further year, a mistake which ultimately placed Chambers’ future in his own hands.

The Latest: Bridge’s comments

Sky Sports journalist Bridge was giving his thoughts to GiveMeSport over Villa's move for Chambers.

He compared it to Danny Ings’ switch from Southampton in the summer, revealing that ‘no one knew’ the defender would be joining Steven Gerrard’s side as he said:

“I called the Danny Ings one a teletext signing because back in the day, you’d see a player sign for a club and you never got any of these rumours or anything like that. And they did it again. I don’t know how they do it.

“No one knew Chambers was going to Villa. I didn’t hear anything, I don’t think anyone did. They’re very good at it.”

The Verdict: Brilliant

It’s hard to keep a transfer under wraps in today’s world due to social media and journalists like Bridge being in the know, but Johan Lange is making it look easy.

The move for Chambers means that he can provide cover at centre-back and right-back, positions where Villa needed strengthening last month. Axel Tuanzebe cut short his loan to join Napoli, whereas young right-back Kaine Kesler Hayden sealed a temporary move to MK Dons on deadline day.

Chambers will be able to challenge the likes of Tyrone Mings, Ezri Konsa and Kortney Hause in the centre of defence and can also be called upon to replace Matty Cash should he be required, making it a shrewd move indeed.

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