How did they go about it then? Apart from one interview he gave saying he feels he's good enough to play in the Prem right now (whilst saying how much he likes playing for saints and thanking the fans for supporting him), what do you know as fact happened behind the scenes?
As far as I'm aware, he didn't miss one training session. Played in pre-season games. Even went and watched Saints play at Eastleigh when not in the squad. Not really in the same league as other players in the recent past like Kenwynne Jones who refused to even turn up for training before joining Sunderland.
What 17 year old isn't going to take a lot of advice from their father, especially one who was a leading professional in the same job? Saints had no control over Chamberlain Snr.
Suppose some will bring up the fact he signed a 3 year contract with Saints. Thank god he did !! If he hadn't, he could have left for less than £1m in compensation payments under the FA rules.