Hull City defender James Chester will expect to make his Premier League debut at Chelsea today. He tells Philip Buckingham how taking two steps back out of Old Trafford were rewarded with a giant leap forward.
TWO and a half years since he left Manchester United without a single Premier League appearance to his name, James Chester has fought doggedly for his seat back at the top table of English football.
Starting 109 of City's 113 league games since his arrival, not one player at the KC Stadium has done more to warrant this chance. Few can even claim to come close.
"When I think about it, it's been quite amazing really," said the 24-year-old.
"When I arrived I said I wanted to play as many games as possible and I've only missed four league games in the two and a half years I've been here.
"I'm proud of how I've developed. I wasn't sure if I'd be able to cut it at Championship level because it's not something I'd ever done before, but I think I've more than proved myself there now.
"If you look at where the club was when I joined and where they are now, it's nice to know you've played your part. I'm sure when I'm finished it will be something I can look back on and be proud of."
When Chester was plucked from a loan spell at Carlisle United and parachuted into the Championship by Nigel Pearson in January 2011, City were only 16th in the division. Fewer points stood between them and the bottom three than the top six.
A climb up the league ended with the Tigers in 11th and then, a year later, came another near miss in eighth. The arrival of Steve Bruce last summer inspired the giant leap towards automatic promotion, but there have been casualties along the way.
Close friend Corry Evans has been sold to Blackburn and long-time defensive partner Jack Hobbs off-loaded to Nottingham Forest. Only injury has prevented fellow Manchester United graduate Cameron Stewart from joining the exodus.
"Even in the short time I've been here there's been an awful lot of change," said Chester.
"I was sat with Liam Rosenior the other day and I think there's only me, him and Robbie Koren left from the team I joined.
"The amount of change that's gone on in that time has been amazing.
"It just shows how hard it is to make a career in football.
"People come and go and you have to keep looking after yourself.
"Nothing is a given and I hope I can keep doing what I'm doing. It couldn't have gone any better if I'm honest."
Three years ago, Chester began the 2010-11 season with just seven starts to his name in senior football, from loans at Peterborough and Plymouth. Now he is rapidly closing in on 150.
Examinations of his ability in League One and the Championship have been passed with honours. Defending is an art Chester has often made look effortless.
Now comes the acid test. A Premier League debut is expected to come today at Chelsea and nothing short of his best will ensure his upward career curve avoids an untimely dip.
"There's a lot of us that haven't been there before but I've felt I just need that chance to show it," he explained.
"That's what made promotion such a massive occasion and something that might never come around again.
"We're just thankful we took our chance and now we've got this opportunity."
Two steps back out of Old Trafford have been rewarded with a giant leap forward and Chester added: "Dropping down a division is becoming the best route of getting a chance at the moment, especially for British players.
"If you look at the very top clubs, it's very difficult to break through as a young British player unless you're an exceptional talent. The opportunities don't come along very often at those big clubs.
"I never doubted myself that I could play at the highest level, it was just waiting for the chance."
Chester's introduction to the top flight is enough to make the insecure wince. First comes Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, armed with Fernando Torres, Eden Hazard and Demba Ba, and a fortnight later it is Manchester City, spearheaded by Sergio Aguero, Edin Dzeko and Fernandinho at the Etihad. The time has come for deep breaths.
"I see it as a chance to improve and a chance to learn," said Chester.
"It's a scary list but I want to play at this level. If you want to prove yourself, you have to do it against the best.
"I don't know that there's one striker in particular I'm looking forward to facing, every game will be a great challenge."
So what next? What comes after a debut Premier League season with the Tigers?
"The goal is to keep improving and become the best you can be. You shouldn't be satisfied with what you've achieved."
