United lead chase for Dulwich kid Chambers as Premier League top dogs eye defender

By Michael Walker

Last updated at 10:45 PM on 9th November 2011

Michael Chambers, a teenage defender at Dulwich Hamlet, is the subject of an unlikely transfer pursuit involving no less than Manchester United, Arsenal, Tottenham and seven other clubs.

Ten teams ranging from United to Bristol City, and including Everton and Aston Villa, were represented at Dulwich Hamlet’s Ryman League fixture last Saturday.

Admirer: Sir Alex Ferguson's scouting team checked out Michael Chambers

Chambers, 17, plays at centre half for Dulwich, who are top of their division. He is 6ft 2in, left-footed and has a growing reputation for elegance on the ball.

Originally with Millwall and then in Reading’s youth team, Chambers was thought to lack aggression and was released by the Championship club.

Big step up: Ian Wright (left) joined Crystal Palace from Dulwich

But a series of displays in senior amateur football have made him the recent focus of youth scouts across the country.

Dulwich Hamlet is where Ian Wright began his career before being signed by Crystal Palace. In March, Palace signed another 17-year-old centre half from the non-league side in Quade Taylor, while another Dulwich 17-year-old, striker Paul McCallum, joined West Ham in January.