2025-11-29 14:31:49
Ben Chilwell is targeting an England recall at next year’s World Cup.
The defender – who is now plying his trade for French side Strasbourg – hasn’t played for his country since March 2024 after falling out of favour at Chelsea but is hoping to break into Thomas Tuchel’s squad for next summer’s tournament in North America.
Chilwell told 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 just be the biggest middle finger to so many people, which to me is a motivation. Chelsea were honest with me and there’s no resentment, but of course I’ve got an ego, so it would be a nice feeling to prove some people wrong.”
The full-back revealed that Tuchel – his former manager at Chelsea – has assured him that his England career isn’t over.
Chilwell said: “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. I’ll try and word it right – it has been said that it’s not out of the equation.”
Chilwell moved to Ligue 1 outfit Strasbourg and has been impressed by the quality that Liam Rosenior’s team possess.
He explained: “It wasn’t my top choice, but then I spoke to the manager. It was only a 10-minute call, and I rang my agent straight away after and said, ‘Yes, let’s get Strasbourg done.’
“Liam said I’d be surprised how much I’d enjoy it. He still thought I could improve and said he would ask me to play certain roles I haven’t played before, which has already started to happen.
“Then there’s the leadership side of it. I’ve been in changing rooms with serial winners and know how to be in a group that wins stuff. It just seemed like a no-brainer and a pretty perfect fit.”
Chilwell added: “I’m definitely shocked at the quality. There are a lot of people going straight to the top here, and I include the manager in that. The league is good and the stadiums are full.
“We’ve shown we can compete with PSG and the manager has big ambitions to win stuff this season and qualify for the Champions League.”
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