Calum Chambers urged to fight for starting role by Middlesbrough boss

Middlesbrough manager Aitor Karanka is delighted to have beaten a number of clubs to land Calum Chambers on a season-long loan from Arsenal, but has made it clear that he will not walk straight into the starting XI. The Spanish manager has warned him that like every new player who has joined the club this summer he has to fight for his place in the staring XI.

The north Yorkshire club have made a number of significant signings this summer, which included the arrival of former Barcelona star Victor Valdes and former Manchester City forward Alvaro Negredo. The former has played just one of Middlesbrough's first three games thus far this season, but the latter has played every minute of every game.

Karanka understands that Chambers will be keen to play all the games as he looks to continue his football development and is confident that he will be a good addition to the team for the upcoming campaign. The former Southampton defender moved to the Riverside Stadium on transfer deadline day and the manager has confirmed that there were a number of clubs interested in securing his services.

"I never give guarantees to a player who comes in. I never have done. Victor Valdes came here [on a free transfer from Manchester United], and I can't guarantee he would play. Alvaro Negredo came here [on loan from Valencia] and it is the same. They are big names but have to fight on the pitch and show everyone they are better than their team-mates," Karanka said, as quoted by The Times.

"When you are his age you need to play to keep learning," Karanka said. "I spoke with him and he understood the best thing for his career was to come here and to keep growing. For that reason I was really pleased.

"I knew he had a lot of offers. The following day Wilshere went to Bournemouth and he had more than 20 offers and I know Calum had a few offers, too. For sure he will be a really good player for us. He has everything, so he has to keep going and keep improving. For us and for me it is a pleasure. I am really proud Arsenal as a club and Arsène sent him to us," the Middlesbrough manager added.