Ben Chilwell reckons helping Strasbourg qualify for the Champions League could land him a shock spot in Thomas Tuchel’s England squad.
Chilwell joined Strasbourg from their sister club Chelsea in the summer after being informed by Blues boss Enzo Maresca that he was surplus to requirements in west London. The 28-year-old was frozen out at Stamford Bridge for over a year and forced to train at the club’s academy, away from the first team, with the likes of Raheem Sterling and Carney Chukwuemeka.
Within that spell, he went on loan to Crystal Palace, who Strasbourg face in the Conference League on Thursday. The defender made 11 appearances for the Eagles, including three in the FA Cup, as Palace ended their 120-year wait for major silverware and Chilwell secured the last medal he needed to complete the full set of English honours.
Since his move to the Alsace region, Chilwell has made nine appearances for Strasbourg – featuring at both left-back and centre-back. Strasbourg have been impressed with his leadership qualities, with the younger players gravitating towards him.
Tuchel talks
England manager Thomas Tuchel during the latest England squad announcement.
Chilwell, who has 21 caps for England, last featured for the Three Lions in March 2024, playing 90 minutes as Gareth Southgate’s side drew 2-2 with Belgium in preparation for the European Championships.
The Englishman is laser-focused on breaking back into the England set-up ahead of the World Cup in North America next year, with the tournament a factor in his decision to join Strasbourg. Chilwell revealed that he has spoken to England boss Thomas Tuchel about the left-back spot and believes qualifying for the Champions League with Strasbourg, who sit fifth in Ligue 1, will not harm his case.
“The World Cup is what I want for the end of this season,” said Chilwell in his pre-Crystal Palace press conference. “I've had conversations with the manager about the levels that I need to reach personally to get there.
“I need to be playing at a good level consistently for the whole season. The team winning a lot of matches and hopefully trophies and hopefully qualifying for the Champions League is also going to help my case to go to the World Cup.
“There were a few options, but I’ve always wanted to play abroad, even since I was a young player, to go and experience a different culture, a different league.”
Leader
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While Strasbourg boss Liam Rosenior is pleased with the leadership Chilwell has brought to his juvenile squad, the English coach stressed that the defender’s best years remain ahead of him.
Strasbourg have the youngest squad in Europe, and although Chilwell is a seasoned professional who has succeeded at the highest level, Rosenior emphasised that he has been brought in for far more than just his experience.
The former Hull City manager is thrilled with Chilwell’s influence, admitting that the England international has already exceeded expectations.
“This is not a testimonial event for Ben,” said Rosenior. “Ben is in his peak years. He’s 28. “When we had our first conversation, Ben told me of his ambitions, which are realistic.
World Cup plan
world cup trophy
“He wants to play in the World Cup this year. That's why Ben decided to come to Strasbourg, because he understood players have come here and made their international debuts.
“I want him to be back in the England squad. My job is to push him and help him in every way I possibly can, to do something that I think is really realistic for him at this moment of his career.
“Football is a small industry. Everything positive that's been said about Ben, before he came here, he's lived up to. He's been magnificent. His influence on the group has been nothing short of superb. He's a role model to the group. They are things that you can't measure with data or statistics.”