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12 September 2018
The waking dream of the England new boy Ben Chilwell
After receiving a last-minute call-up, the Maurice Revello Tournament 2016 winner has eventually made his international debut with England on Tuesday. Moreover at the King Power Stadium, his current club's home ground.
“Ben is composed in the possession of the ball, he has also a good understanding of the game. […] I like his mentality. I think he has a desire to be a top player”. During the Maurice Revello Tournament 2016, the then England U21 head coach Gareth Southgate was full of praise for Ben Chilwell, who hasn’t made yet his Premier League debut at that moment.
Since that, the English left-back has become more experimented (40 Premier League games played so far with Leicester City) and has also shown progress in many areas. The 21-year-old established himself as a regular starter for Leicester and has also shone with England U21. His consistency has been rewarded by a first international cap with the England senior team during the friendly against Switzerland (1-0).
With ten minutes remaining, Gareth Southgate has introduced Ben Chilwell on the pitch of the King Power Stadium. His current club's home ground.
“I liked what he had done at the end of last season and the beginning of this season with Leicester. We looked at bringing him into one of the camps just before the World Cup, just to train with us, but we weren’t able to do that. I think he is progressing really well and it is great that he has established himself in the team here now. He is going to really push for competition down that left side”, said Gareth Southgate after the game.
Englanf debut at the KP and a win. What a night for me and my family. Thank you for the reception and the kind messages ❤️ @England pic.twitter.com/dLnzL24tUr
— Ben Chilwell (@BenChilwell) 11 septembre 2018
The Milton Keynes-born became the twelfth player aged 21 or under to represent England since Gareth Southgate took charge of the Three Lions in 2016. Chilwell can be one of these young players who could benefit in the long-term from the Southgate’s youth policy.
Amayes Brahmi
Crédits photo : Leicester City
