Ben Chilwell remains hopeful about joining Thomas Tuchel's England squad for the World Cup next year. He sees this as a chance to prove his critics wrong. After leaving Chelsea for Strasbourg in September,
Chilwell aims to make a comeback. His time at Chelsea was limited to EFL Cup appearances before a loan move to Crystal Palace, where he struggled for game time.
Chilwell's stint at Crystal Palace saw him mostly on the bench, backing up Tyrick Mitchell. Despite limited starts, he was part of the team that clinched the FA Cup under Oliver Glasner. During pre-season, Chilwell trained with Raheem Sterling and Axel Disasi in Chelsea's "bomb squad. " However, his move to France has been fruitful, helping Strasbourg secure fifth place in Ligue 1.
Chilwell is determined to return to the England team after missing out on Euro 2024. He last played for England in March and is eager for another chance. "What a story it would be if I went to the World Cup after I was in the bomb squad and everyone had counted me out 12 months prior," Chilwell told BBC Sport. "It would just be the biggest middle finger to so many people, which to me is a motivation. "
Chilwell has spoken with Tuchel, who coached him at Chelsea from 2021 to 2022. These discussions have left him optimistic about a potential recall. "Probably 99 out of 100 people are saying, 'No, he's not going, and it is impossible to go to the World Cup. ' We've had conversations since he's got the job at England," Chilwell shared.
On Thursday, Chilwell will face his former loan club when Strasbourg hosts Crystal Palace in the Conference League. Reflecting on his time at Selhurst Park, he said: "Palace was tough because I loved the changing room. We won the FA Cup; the manager was amazing, but obviously I went there to play. "
Despite not playing much at Palace due to their winning streak, Chilwell cherishes winning the FA Cup with them. "As soon as I went in, they just kept winning, so I couldn't knock on the manager's door," he explained. Winning with Palace helped him overcome past disappointments in cup finals.
Chilwell appreciates Chelsea's honesty about his situation and holds no grudges against them. However, he admits having an ego and wants to prove doubters wrong by making it back into England's squad. His journey from being sidelined at Chelsea to thriving at Strasbourg fuels his determination.
As Chilwell continues his career in France, he remains focused on regaining his spot in England's national team. His experiences have shaped his resolve and drive for success on both club and international stages.
