After a challenging period at Chelsea, Ben Chilwell is seeking to revitalize his career with a move to Strasbourg in France, fueled by the ambition to regain his place in the England squad and silence his critics.
Acknowledging the effort required to secure a spot for the 2026 World Cup, the 28-year-old defender draws encouragement from conversations with England manager Thomas Tuchel, his former Chelsea boss, who hasn’t ruled out a potential international return.
Ahead of Strasbourg’s Conference League match against Crystal Palace, where he previously spent time on loan, Chilwell expressed his determination to defy expectations: “Imagine the narrative if I made the World Cup squad after being sidelined at Chelsea and written off by many. It would be a powerful statement to those who doubted me, and that is a driving force. While Chelsea were upfront with me and there are no hard feelings, I have a competitive spirit, and proving people wrong would be immensely satisfying.”
Chilwell’s setbacks began with a cruciate ligament injury in late 2021, followed by a hamstring tear that sidelined him from the 2022 World Cup. His position at Chelsea further deteriorated under Enzo Maresca in 2024, leading to his inclusion in the group of players deemed surplus to requirements.
“Realistically, almost everyone probably believes a World Cup call-up is impossible,” he conceded. However, he added that his discussions with Tuchel have offered a glimmer of hope. “We have spoken since he took over with England. To put it carefully, the possibility has been mentioned as not completely off the table.”
Chilwell frames his move to Strasbourg as “my deliberate choice” to take control of his career.
Having enjoyed two years free from injury setbacks, Chilwell is feeling optimistic and back to playing regularly since his transfer to Strasbourg. The move, overseen by their manager Liam Rosenior (formerly of Hull City), occurred in late September.
He’s been a consistent presence in the Strasbourg lineup, missing only a couple of Ligue One games. The team is performing well, currently sitting fifth in the league, and considered a strong contender for the Conference League title, alongside Palace.
Chilwell’s decision to join Strasbourg, given the shared ownership with his former club under the BlueCo consortium, initially sparked debate about the motivation behind the transfer.
However, he maintains it was his personal choice: “It was my decision entirely. I had options from other clubs without Chelsea connections, but the manager’s vision convinced me to come here.”
Reportedly, Everton and Palace (where he spent the latter half of the previous season on loan, though with limited starts) were also interested.
“Palace was a great environment, I got along with my teammates,” he explained. “We had a successful FA Cup run, and the manager was excellent. But, ultimately, I went there to play regularly. The team kept winning, so I didn’t feel it was appropriate to challenge the manager’s decisions. I had been unsuccessful in a few cup finals, so it was good to finally win one and be part of a successful team.”
He clarified that remaining within the same ownership group was not a concern for him.
“I have a good relationship with the owners. They’ve always been supportive and often attend Strasbourg’s games. I appreciate their honesty, and that’s all I can ask for as a player.”
He also emphasized that his departure was not due to any animosity towards the former manager.
“I never had an issue with [Maresca]. I respected his honesty in telling me I wasn’t part of his plans. While I disagreed with the decision, I accepted it.”
A key reason given for Chilwell’s exit was his perceived unsuitability for the manager’s tactical system.
“I believe it played a role,” he acknowledged, before adding, “But I was confident I could adapt to the role. I played as a central midfielder in my youth. Even under Thomas Tuchel, I would make attacking runs or drift inside. I possessed the necessary skills; I just didn’t get the chance to demonstrate them.”
Chilwell described his time away from the main squad as involving “high-quality training” with a group of talented players, including Raheem Sterling and Joao Felix. However, he noted that the smaller group size meant he didn’t “sprint at all” or “play full 11-on-11 games” during his extended pre-season. Strasbourg seems like the perfect match for him.
Since joining Strasbourg, Rosenior, an English manager, has made a positive impact and is revitalizing Chilwell’s career.
Chilwell stated that while Strasbourg wasn’t his initial preference, a short conversation with the manager convinced him. “After just a brief chat, I immediately told my representative to finalize the deal,” he said.
He explained that Rosenior believed he could significantly improve and would challenge him with unfamiliar roles, which has already begun. Furthermore, Chilwell emphasized his experience in winning environments, highlighting the leadership qualities he can bring to the team. He described the move as a logical and ideal fit.
Chilwell expressed his surprise at the team’s high quality, including the manager, whom he believes has a bright future. He praised the competitiveness of the league and the enthusiastic atmosphere in the stadiums.
“We’ve proven we can compete with top teams, and the manager has ambitious goals for the season, including aiming for a championship and Champions League qualification.”
Playing abroad fulfills a long-held ambition for Chilwell. Although the move caused some anxiety for his mother, her importance in his life has grown since the passing of his father in 2023.
“My father is the reason I am where I am today,” he acknowledged. “I owe him everything. The one positive thing is that his passing brought my mother, sister, and me even closer. It has also made me more resilient and grounded regarding my football career.”
Following the acquisition of Strasbourg by Boehly and Clearlake, Chilwell, at 28, became their most experienced outfield signing for the team which is currently the youngest squad in Europe’s top leagues.
He also shares his insights with the younger players, warning them about the potential dangers of social media. “I advise them to trust me that it’s not a healthy path to take. I don’t personally manage my social media accounts; my agent handles them.”
“When I was younger, I would obsess over negative comments on social media, ignoring the positive ones. While I was advised against it, I continued to do it until I finally realized it was detrimental and stopped.”
Chilwell is learning French, even though most of his teammates speak English. He impresses by sharing historical facts about Strasbourg, such as the city’s cathedral being the tallest building globally until 1874. He also feels confident and independent enough to live abroad without relying on family or friends, and this new experience has reignited his passion.
“There were times when I questioned the purpose of continuing to play football, given that I had already achieved significant success and experienced the ups and downs of the sport,” he revealed.
“My mother reminded me of the unique feeling of stepping onto the pitch, and coming to Strasbourg has completely rekindled that excitement, the enthusiasm for training and playing.
“I had begun to lose my love for football due to lack of playing time. Now, I’m playing in front of massive crowds and I’ve been injury-free. All I needed was an opportunity.”
He further added, “It’s amusing that people consider me an experienced player at 28; I believe I’m in my prime. That’s why playing in the World Cup is still a major ambition. There’s still so much I want to accomplish.
“My primary focus is to perform well here, stay healthy, and then hopefully the World Cup will follow. If I give my all and still don’t achieve it, it won’t be a disaster. I’ll still be enjoying my football and will be only 29 years old.”
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