Chilwell Eyes World Cup Spot After Chelsea Exodus

As England prepares for next year’s World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, they are considered one of the top contenders. The team, under the guidance of Thomas Tuchel, boasts a strong pedigree at the club level. However, the Three Lions have faced near misses in recent international tournaments, including a heartbreaking defeat to Spain in the Euro 2024 final. Currently, Tuchel’s squad appears robust, yet challenges persist, particularly in the left-back position.

Despite having an impressive squad depth, the left-back role remains a concern, with Tuchel recently calling up talents like Djed Spence, Miles Lewis-Skelly, and Tino Livramento. Manchester City’s Nico O’Reilly has been given the opportunity to start in the latest international fixtures.

The question of who will occupy the starting left-back position in North America next summer remains uncertain. With no player firmly establishing their claim, former Chelsea defender Ben Chilwell may have a chance to reintegrate himself into the squad. The 28-year-old has not featured for England since March 2024 but has not given up hope.

Chilwell remarked to BBC Sport, “What a story it would be if I went to the World Cup after I was in the [Chelsea] bomb squad and everyone had counted me out 12 months prior. It would be a significant motivation for me. Chelsea was honest with me, and while I hold no resentment, I do wish to prove some people wrong.”

Maintaining communication with the national team’s coach, Chilwell acknowledged the skepticism surrounding his potential World Cup participation. “Probably 99 out of 100 people are saying, ‘No, he’s not going, and it is impossible to go to the World Cup,'” he expressed. “However, we’ve had conversations since he took the job, and it’s been suggested that my chances are not out of the question.”

Chilwell continued, emphasizing that age should not be seen as a barrier. “It makes me laugh that people think I’m an old player at 28—I’m really in my prime. That’s why the World Cup is an ambition for me. There’s still much to achieve. My main focus now is to play well and stay healthy. If I can give my all without achieving my goal, it won’t be the end of the world—I will still enjoy my football and only be 29.”

In the previous summer, Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca made it clear that Chilwell would not fit into his plans for the 2024-25 season. Following a brief appearance in the Carabao Cup against Barrow, Chilwell’s time at Chelsea effectively ended when he joined Crystal Palace on a short-term loan during the winter transfer window.

Ultimately, he signed permanently with Strasbourg in Ligue 1, closing the chapter on his Chelsea career. Nevertheless, Chilwell holds no ill will towards Maresca, stating, “I’ve never had anything against Enzo Maresca. I respected his honesty, which allowed me to move on. While I wasn’t happy with the decision, I understood it. I believe I could have performed the role he required of me but wasn’t given the opportunity.”

At Strasbourg, Chilwell has begun to rebuild his career under head coach Liam Rosenior, who has quickly earned his trust. “It wasn’t my top choice initially, but after a brief conversation with the manager, I was eager to make it happen. He mentioned that I would enjoy my time here and that he could help me develop in ways I hadn’t experienced before,” Chilwell shared.

He highlighted the importance of leadership, drawing on his experiences in winning environments. “I’ve been in changing rooms with serial winners, and I know how to contribute to a successful group. This felt like a perfect fit. I’m surprised by the quality here. Many individuals are destined for greatness, including the manager. The league is competitive, the stadiums are full, and we have shown we can challenge teams like PSG. The manager has ambitious goals for this season, including qualifying for the Champions League.”