Chilwell: My Return to England Will “Shut the Critics Up”
Strasbourg defender Ben Chilwell has set his sights on silencing his critics by earning a spot in England’s squad for the 2026 World Cup.
Chilwell, who won the UEFA Champions League with Chelsea in 2021, is seeking to revive his stalled career after leaving Stamford Bridge for France. The 28-year-old left-back spent last season on loan at Crystal Palace and will face “the Eagles” with Strasbourg in the Europa Conference League on Thursday.
Chilwell suffered an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury while at Chelsea in 2021 and missed the 2022 World Cup in Qatar due to a hamstring injury. With his form dipping, he failed to earn the trust of Enzo Maresca when the Italian took charge at Chelsea last year.
Chilwell was sidelined, placed on what became known as Maresca’s “excluded players list,” first during a disappointing loan spell at Palace and then after permanently moving to the French Ligue 1 club in September.
Speaking to the BBC on Wednesday, Chilwell said: “What a story it would be if I went to the World Cup after being on the excluded players list at Chelsea, with everyone writing me off 12 months ago—it would be the ultimate way to shut a lot of mouths, and that’s my motivation. Chelsea was honest with me and there’s no resentment, but of course I have pride, so it would feel great to prove some people wrong.”
Chilwell, who has earned 21 caps for England, believes he still has time to convince Three Lions manager Thomas Tuchel to give him his first international appearance since March 2024.
