Leading by Example: Calum Chambers’ Growing Influence at Cardiff City
- Sam Hill
- Jan 6
- 3 min read
Calum Chambers’ influence on this Cardiff City side is growing with every passing week, and Sunday’s controlled 1-0 victory over Wigan Athletic was another prime example of this.
The club captain not only delivered a stunning winning goal, but his overall performance was dominant on both sides of the game, which never allowed Wigan a foothold at the Cardiff City Stadium.
Speaking after the match, Chambers was quick to downplay his own personal efforts. “A clean sheet really is more important, I guess for me,” he said. “But it’s nice to help the team. Three points in a game like that is massive, and I’m really, really happy.”
The defender’s attacking instincts were on display, in which he had a subtle nod to his early days starting out as a right winger in his academy days for that. “I enjoy getting forward..., I’ve got an instinct for it, and I’ve popped up with a nice goal here and there over my career,” Chambers added with a wry smile.
The game was never in doubt after Cardiff took the lead, with Wigan’s deep 5-4-1 set up offering as much threat to the league leaders as Lichtenstein did to Wales in the same stadium in June 2025.
The 30-year-old reflected on the team’s approach against deep defences like Wigan, which the Bluebirds are repeatedly facing at the Cardiff City Stadium this season.
“It is tricky when teams come, and they defend like that, but it’s down to us to then sort of put our plan into the game. We’re creating lots and lots of chances. Sometimes we don’t put them all away, but the fact we’re creating good chances and getting in the right areas is pleasing and shows we’re consistent,” he said.
Across the hectic festive schedule, Cardiff have picked up ten points in twelve games, with Chambers starting now in two 1-0 victories over Exeter and Wigan respectively across that period.
The captain was quick to praise the squad’s consistency and mentality during this time. “It’s all about consistency and keeping your level of performance as high as possible every single game,” he stated.
This successful run has been underpinned by a strong defensive unit and an unwavering positive approach to attacking the games and going out to get all three points.
Chambers’ role as club captain has been pivotal this season, particularly with such a young group now at the capital city side. Reflecting on being given the armband, he said, “It was massive when Brian asked me to be club captain. It was a really sort of proud moment. I think it was good timing for me and my career, a new challenge if you like. Something fresh for me to sort of try, so it came at a good time, really.”
He added that his day-to-day approach as a player hasn’t changed a lot, “I haven’t really had to do anything much, I train as hard as I can and sort of lead by example in that sense. The boys have been amazing.”
The victory also reinforced Cardiff’s attacking approach, with encouragement from the manager and club owner to take shots from distance. They have registered the second-most shots on goal in the league, and the most on target also. The former England international revealed, “We know he (Vincent Tan) wants us to shoot more, so I had a couple today, lucky one went in.”
Chambers has started eleven league games this season and averages 2.3 PPG (Points Per Game), boasting an impressive record leading from the back. Now the oldest player in a youthful looking City squad, his top-level experience could prove invaluable as the season progresses.
The club captain, a former FA Cup winner, will be striving to add a further trophy to his cabinet in May as Cardiff continue to progress with his leadership becoming crucial.
“We want more, we want to keep going, and as long as we put in the performances then the results will come,” Chambers concluded.
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