BEN IN NEW FOXES DEAL

ENGLAND defender Ben Chilwell has signed a new six-year contract with Leicester.

The 21-year-old has enjoyed an impressive start to the season with the Foxes and stood out for England against Croatia and Spain.

The left-back joined Leicester’s academy in 2009 and has now extended his stay through to 2024.

“Leicester’s always felt like the right place for me,” said Chilwell (above). “The club has really big, long-term plans and it’s really exciting to know that I’m going to be part of that.”

His new deal comes in the week that manager Claude Puel said Leicester’s plan to be ‘Club England’ is just getting under way.

The Foxes have become a feeder team for the Three Lions during the past few seasons, with Chilwell the latest to shine for the national side. Puel said: “We want to develop players and we will have a new training ground shortly.

“That will give us greater opportunities, so England’s youngsters can develop.

“What we are seeing is just the beginning of the project. We need balance, but it’s just the start.

“If we want to build a successful future for ourselves, we need to develop good players with good attributes.”

Puel promoted Chilwell at left-back ahead of title-winner Christian Fuchs – and that judgement has been backed by England boss Gareth Southgate.

Puel added: “It was a difficult choice to put in Chilly ahead of Christian. But I think Ben is the future of the club.

“Christian is always first into training, I have a lot of respect for him, but I had a choice to make.

“Ben can still improve, but he has fantastic pace, endurance, a good engine, is comfortable on the ball, and doesn’t panic.”