Chapman has spent the past two years in Korea after leaving Melbourne City to join Incheon United in January 2017.
After catching the eye with the Durumi, and scoring two goals in 27 matches, he was snapped up by Pohang Steelers at the start of 2018.
Chapman has established himself as a regular in defensive midfield for Pohang this season, racking up 32 appearances and four assists as the club chases an AFC Champions League spot.
The Australian’s stellar performances have earned him a new two-year deal with the Steelers, amid interest from several Japanese J1 League clubs.
Now Chapman, who has played for the Joeys, Young Socceroos and Olyroos in the past, has his eyes on the international arena and a senior cap.
“I want to play at the highest level I can domestically and obviously the Socceroos is a big target, and the number one target for every Australian,” Chapman told The World Game.
“The Socceroos is my main goal and I’m definitely working hard now to break into that team. With consistency and games, I’ve played about 60 games now over here, I’m hoping within the next year or two I can crack that team.”
Even with the departure of veteran skipper Mile Jedinak, the Socceroos are incredibly strong in central midfield with Aaron Mooy, Tom Rogic, Jackson Irvine, Massimo Luongo, Mustafa Amini, James Jeggo, Josh Brilliante and others all battling for places.
“You’ve just got to keep working and keep your head down – it’s going to happen when it happens,” Chapman said.
“At the end, if I’m working hard and having success in the K League 1, hopefully I keep doing that and maybe I can get a transfer to a bigger league, to Europe or Japan, and I can keep putting pressure on the selectors.
“With Mark Milligan getting older and Mile Jedinak retiring from the national team, I see myself as one of those players that play the same sort of style as a Milligan or a Jedinak in that centre defensive midfield position.”
Only 24, Chapman has largely been used as a centre-back in his senior career in the A-League with Newcastle Jets and Melbourne City.
But the Western Sydney product has been primarily been used in the K League 1 as a defensive midfielder.
Chapman has thrived in the position for Pohang, who paid a transfer fee to secure him from Incheon, and the move has taken him back to his roots with Moorebank Sports, Marconi Stallions, Sydney Wanderers and Sutherland Sharks.
“This year I’ve played only in that centre defensive mid role," he said. "Up until the age of 15 I played in that role and then the national team coach Jan Versleijen wanted me to play a more centre-back role.
“My style is more suited to playing out from the back. I think coming to Korea, coming to that number 6 defensive midfield role I can use that and be the man to get the ball off the centre-back.
Chapman helped Incheon United to a ninth place finish last year but has enjoyed his transfer to Pohang, a three-time AFC Champions League winner. The Steelers currently sit in fourth spot on the ladder, just above Suwon Bluewings as the season comes to a close.
“It was a great club with great fans and our aim last year with a budget, competing against bigger budgets, and we had probably one of the lowest budgets," Chapman said.
"But I think it was the best finish for the club in the past three years.
“After last year coming in and sort of proving myself in the K-League, I got the transfer over to Pohang. They’re one of the most successful clubs in Korea.
“Coming here was to a footballing city, there are expectations to do well. This year we’re doing well, we’re coming fourth at the moment and are in an Asian Champions League spot.
Chapman is one of five Aussies currently playing in the K League 1, along with Dylan McGowan, James Donachie, Kwabena Appiah and Aleksandar Jovanovic.
The Asian country has proved a rollercoaster for Australian players in the past, with defenders such as Sasa Ognenovski and Alex Wilkinson succeeding but many others failing to fire.
The midfielder believes it is an environment and competition that tests you mentally.
“Coming to Korea is not easy,” he said. "You’ve got the culture, a different style of play, all these different things that you need to adapt to to succeed here.
“You’ve seen many players come here and haven’t done well. It comes down to your mentality.
“I needed a new challenge. I was obviously 22 when I left but I felt that I needed something new and coming to Korea has just made my game so much better - on the ball, off the ball.
“Coming over here, and the age that I did… the expectation here when you’re a foreigner is a lot higher. You have to perform every day, you have to perform in every training session.
“If you don’t perform, as you see with other players… it’s pretty quickly you’re out of there and they get someone else.
“The K League 1 is a good level and it’s definitely improved me. But we’ll see [in the future] if I stay here or if something might eventuate overseas in the future.”
