Chilwell won’t be thrown off game
BEN CHILWELL could be excused for delivering a “look at me now” message to veteran Millwall striker Steve Morison as he steps out in front of 60,000 fans tonight to represent his country against Spain.
The Leicester City full-back had just four Premier League games under his belt when he was picked to travel to the Den for an FA Cup game in February last year that led to some rather
astonishing accusations. “It was a hostile atmosphere and it certainly affected their left-back,” said Morison after his side’s 1-0 win. “He started taking throwins but after a couple of bits of verbal from our fans early on he decided he didn’t want to take another one.
“I’m not being funny or anything but he said it was because his fingers were hurting. Really? Come on. We’re playing a game of football.”
Chilwell, 21, meets being reminded of this episode with a steely stare.
“I heard about it, but I didn’t really look into his comments,” he said. “It was a load of rubbish. It was one of those things where maybe the older boys of Millwall wanted to get at one of the younger boys. I’m not going to get into it. It was rubbish.
“Each to his own. If that is what he chooses to do, then I’ll let him do that. I just focus on myself, focus on my performances and just try to move forward with Leicester.
“If that is what somebody wants to say, that is up to them. I’m just focused on the football.”
It is an attitude that has served him well. Having established himself as the first-choice leftback at the King Power Stadium, Chilwell was called into the England squad last month as injury cover and given what appeared to be a grace-andfavour appearance in front of his own fans as a substitute in the friendly against Switzerland.
But once again this month, having missed out on the original selection, he arrived late when Luke Shaw withdrew and, when Danny Rose failed to respond to treatment on a niggling injury, Chilwell suddenly became England’s last left-back standing. It is a mark of the faith Gareth Southgate has in him, though, that the manager opted against calling up further reserves. And having played the full 90 minutes against Croatia, Chilwell is expected to start again tonight in Seville.
“Hopefully that is positive because it might give me a chance to play another game,” said Chilwell. “But that’s the gaffer’s decision. When I get given that opportunity, for me personally it is up to me to take that opportunity and play the best I can for the team.
“Playing these games against the best teams in the world is something you want to do to test yourself and push yourself and try to show that you are capable at that sort of level against the best in the world.
“For England, where we are trying to go in the future – to win major tournaments – we have got to beat this kind of team and challenge against the best. Playing against Spain away in front of hopefully a full stadium will be another good test for us.”