BEN CHILWELL wants to give his doubters the middle finger and reach the World Cup after leaving Chelsea.
The Strasbourg full-back, 28, escaped to France from Chelsea’s bomb squad on deadline day in September.
The Strasbourg full-back, 28, escaped to France from Chelsea’s bomb squad on deadline day in September.
And England boss Thomas Tuchel, who Chilwell won the Champions League under with the Blues, has told him the door may still be opener for the World Cup next summer.
Chilwell, along with Raheem Sterling, Joao Felix and Axel Disasi, was surplus to requirements at Chelsea in the summer and frozen out of first team training.
After interest from other Premier League sides, he left for Chelsea’s sister club, Strasbourg, who face Crystal Palace tonight.
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The 21-cap defender spent the second half of last season on loan with Palace, winning the FA Cup but only making one Premier League start.
Chilwell told BBC Sport: “What a story it would be if I went to the World Cup after I was in the bomb squad and everyone had counted me out 12 months prior.
“It would just be the biggest middle finger to so many people, which to me is a motivation.
“Chelsea were honest with me and there’s no resentment, but of course I’ve got an ego, so it would be a nice feeling to prove some people wrong.
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“It makes me laugh that people think I’m an old player at 28 – I’m really in my prime. That’s why the World Cup is an ambition… there’s so much to achieve.
“First things first, I want to play well here, be healthy, and then the rest – the World Cup – may follow. If I can say I gave everything but don’t achieve it then it’s not the end of the world.
“I’ll still be enjoying my football, and only be 29.”
Chilwell insists he has no issue with Blues boss Enzo Maresca, praising him for his honesty during their time together.
He added: “I’ve never had anything against Enzo Maresca.
“I told everyone how much I respected the fact that he was honest, because at least then I could just go, ‘all right, cool, I’m not
wanted’.
“Of course I wasn’t happy with the decision – I didn’t agree with it, but I respected it.
“My relationship with the owners has never been bad. They’ve always rang or messaged.
“They go to a lot of Strasbourg games, we’re cool and we’ll give each other a hug. The only thing you can ask for as a footballer is honesty.”
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