Parimatch Meets Ben Chilwell: Battling Injuries, Leaving Leicester & That Night in Porto

Ben Chilwell looks back to that magical night in Porto which saw him become a European champion

Parimatch: What’s been the best moment for you in a Chelsea shirt so far?

Ben Chilwell: I think making your debut and scoring your first goal is very special. But the European Cup final in Porto was by far, not only my best moment at Chelsea, but my best moment in football up until now. Hopefully, as a team, we can continue to make very good memories over the next however many years and continue to win trophies.

And, you know, we’ve got our aim on winning everything possible. That’s something I want to do and the rest of the team want to do it as well.

Parimatch: How did it feel to win in Porto, and was there a big party?

Ben Chilwell: It was my best day in football and I think a lot of people would probably agree. The game itself was very special, and to win the match was brilliant – my biggest achievement in football. But then after the game, to be able to celebrate with your friends, family, other players and other players’ families, it was very special. We all had dinner together. And then, of course, everyone had a few drinks and we had a party.

Parimatch: The 2021 season was mostly played behind closed doors.  How did it feel to have fans back in the stadium for that special night in Porto?

Ben Chilwell: I think it was the first game actually. I think both of our semi-finals were behind closed doors. So it was mine and I know it was Thiago’s as well. It was our first season at Chelsea and pretty much the whole season we had no fans. So the fans there provided a massive push and the help we needed to get over the line for the game.

Ben Chilwell reflects on a frustrating battle against injuries and his transfer from Leicester

Parimatch: You’ve had a challenging time with injuries, but you bounced back – how does that feel?

Ben Chilwell: It was a very difficult season last year with playing so well, scoring lots of goals, defending well, being involved in what was at the time a very successful campaign, and then obviously I got my long-term injury and was out for around seven or eight months. It’s football, it happens. Everyone gets injured and I kind of had the mindset as to how I would deal with it and bounce back.

So yeah, that was basically where my mindset was. I just worked hard every day to make sure that when this season arrived, I was ready and could help the team again.

Parimatch: When talk of a possible transfer to Chelsea came about, was it a difficult decision to leave Leicester?

Ben Chilwell: It’s kind of surreal. I’ve been at Leicester since I was like 12 years old, so Leicester was my home. I was very comfortable there. I knew everyone: the manager, the players, the chefs, the cleaners. I knew everyone at the training ground, and I knew the city.

So it was kind of difficult leaving that environment where I was so comfortable, but I knew for myself and my career that I needed a new challenge. And with Chelsea, what the club is, the brilliant players they have, the manager, and the trophies that the club wants to win year in, year out.

For me, it was a no-brainer to come here and challenge myself again and push myself onto the next level and just keep improving. And, you know, it was like I said, it was a very sad day when I left Leicester. But then, the day I came here and met everyone, it was it was a great day for myself and my family, a very proud day.

Ben Chilwell provides insight into Chelsea’s squad depth & Raheem Sterling's impact

Parimatch: How competitive is it to get into the starting eleven?

Ben Chilwell: Whenever I’m about to do interviews, and I’m sure it’s the same with all the other players, this season especially, a lot of new people have come in.

And yeah, of course there’s going to be competition for places. But I think for myself and everyone else, when you join a club like Chelsea, you’ve got to expect you’re going to have two or three very good, potentially international players in your position that you’ve got to compete with to get into the team.

It’s a bit of a cliché answer, but it really brings out the best in you when you know every day you’re going on to the training pitch and competing against someone who’s fighting for that shirt on the weekend. And obviously, it’s everyone’s dream to play in the Premier League and the European Cup. Everyone’s really fighting for that chance to play every weekend come Saturday 3:00 pm.

Parimatch: You played with Raheem Sterling with England, what kind of impact has he had at Chelsea?

Ben Chilwell: He’s a brilliant football player, so on the pitch we all kind of knew what we were getting.

We knew he was going to impact our team with a lot of goalscoring opportunities, with goals and assists. But of course, me and the boys who play at England know that in the changing room and around the training ground, he has a big impact. And even though he’s still young, he’s very experienced, he’s played a lot of international football, he’s played a lot of club games in the Premier League.

He’s brought a lot of experience, which he’s using to help people across the team, especially the younger players. He’s a good addition to the group in terms of his playing style and how he wants to affect the game. And then in the changing room as well, he’s brilliant.

There’s still plenty of football left to be played this season, you can view all the latest Premier League odds & football betting markets at Parimatch.

18+ | begambleaware.org | Please Gamble Responsibly