Arsenal defender Calum Chambers has revealed he once idolised both David Beckham and Ronaldinho, and wanted to follow in the footsteps as his heroes and be a forward.

The 22-year-old is slowly but surely making his name in Wenger’s Arsenal side, and aside from a few injuries holding him back he is mostly in the pecking order for a starting place.

Chambers joined Arsenal back in 2014 from Southampton, a move that cost the Gunners £16m. Looking back, it was money well spent when you consider the potential he has. But Chambers has admitted things could have been very different had he chosen to pursue his dream of playing further up the field similar to his idols David Beckham and Ronaldinho.

“I looked up to David Beckham when I was a kid because I played right wing, so I looked up to the way he played and I liked his style,” said Chambers on the Arsenal Weekly podcast.

“I’d also have to say Ronaldinho because he’s an amazing player, a legend and the skills he used to do were just amazing to watch. I’d try them in the garden and I’d never pull them off, but it was still loads of fun.”

“I actually had the chance to meet David Beckham once. It was in London at an art gallery. It was all his pieces from the past, from the magazine front covers to the famous pictures that had been taken. I was there with a mate and we were looking around the place, and I actually got the chance to meet him.”

“I had a chat with him which was pretty amazing to be honest. I was a bit star struck and thinking of things to say. He’s a great guy and one of my sporting heroes growing up. It was amazing to see the impact and influence he’s had on people in and out of football.”

Chambers also revealed who he currently looks up to, and chose Sergio Ramos as that figure.

“People I look up to now and respect now in other sports are people like Roger Federer. He’s a legend. The way he plays, the dedication he puts in, he’s just amazing to watch. In football, I’d also have to say Sergio Ramos.”

“He’s captain of Real Madrid and Spain, I like his style of play, he uses the ball well and he’s also aggressive. Those are attributes I like to have and put in my game. Those are the people who I say are my sporting heroes and people I respect.”
[Quotes sourced via Goal.com]