‘Lowest moment of my season’
CHELSEA STAR CHILWELL ON
FORMER Leicester City left-back Ben Chilwell has never wanted to win a game more as he comes up against his old club in today’s FA Cup final.
Chilwell, now with Chelsea after a £50 million move last summer, said he is more nervous about the encounter at Wembley than he is about the Champions League final in a couple of weeks’ time, knowing it is up against his former teammates.
The two clubs have already met once this year, with City triumphing 2-0 at the King Power Stadium, a result that ranked as the lowest point in Chilwell’s maiden campaign with Chelsea.
Looking ahead to the FA Cup final, he told MOTDx: “It’s probably the game I’m most nervous for of all the ones coming up.
“There’s a Champions League final, massive Premier League games to try to ensure that top four (finish), but the FA Cup against Leicester is the big one for me.
“We lost to them earlier in the season, which, 100 per cent for me, was the lowest point of the season.
“To play against them in the FA Cup final, there’s probably not been a game in my career that want to win more.”
That’s not to say his
LOSING TO HIS EX-CLUB AND HIS CUP FINAL NERVES
I desire to beat City has spoiled his fond memories from his time at the club. “Being at Leicester since I was 12 years old was probably the best thing for me,” Chilwell said. “The staff were all very tough on the players in terms of getting the best out of them. We never had anything easy, we had to earn everything, which I think 100 per cent has put me in good stead.
“I went through a stage when I was 15, 16 where I didn’t really play at all. I was the last one to get my scholarship.
“All of the stuff at the time was difficult, but looking back, it shapes you so you are mentally stronger.”
Also helping him through was City icon Andy King, who Chilwell still counts as a good friend.
“He’s a club legend at Leicester, I still talk to him most days, he’s a close friend of mine,” the England international added.
“When I stepped up to the first team, he was the one to pull me into the gym, tell me things I need to work on, introduced me to the rest of the boys. If we went out for food, he’d be the one to invite me with them.
“I’ve got a lot to thank him for. He’s a great guy.”
To play them in the FA Cup final, there’s probably not been a game that I want to win more
Ben Chilwell