Strasbourg-Crystal Palace is one of the most beautiful posters of the Conference League group stage. And it is an important meeting for Ben Chilwell, who incidentally faces one of his former clubs, and above all takes the opportunity to remember the good memories of the English public.
Having come to France to relaunch himself, the former Chelsea player has great ambitions. In particular that of playing in the World Cup at the end of the season with the England team.
“ What a story it would be if I went to the World Cup after being plastered at Chelsea, and when everyone buried me 12 months before the World Cup,
the player told the BBC before this meeting. That would be a big middle finger to a lot of people, which for me is motivation. Chelsea has been honest with me and I have no hard feelings, but of course I have an ego, so it would be nice to prove some people wrong. »
Ben Chilwell agrees, his chances are slim.
“ Probably 99 people out of 100 say, ‘No, he’s not going, and there’s no way he’s going to the World Cup.’ But the former Leicester left-back reveals that he has spoken with the new coach, Thomas Tuchel, since he took charge of the Three Lions. “II’ll try to word it well – he said it wasn’t excluded.says Chilwell.
Chilwell and Strasbourg, the beautiful story?
The story would be beautiful, especially since Chilwell’s transfer to Strasbourg this summer could have been surprising. Many saw it as a maneuver by BlueCo, the American consortium which owns the two clubs, to reduce Chelsea’s squad. But the player admits that he could have gone to Everton or… Crystal Palace (where he was on loan last season), and assures that it was he who validated the destination. “It was my decision, he insists.
I had other clubs without any connection to Chelsea, and I chose to come here following my conversation with the manager. »
Under the orders of Liam Rosenior, Chilwell has relaunched rather well, with eight appearances in Ligue 1 including seven as a starter. The player, clearly, wants to show that he is far from being burned out. “It makes me laugh that people think I’m an old player at 28; I’m really at the top of my game. This is why the World Cup is an ambition… there is so much to achieve. »
