Ben Chilwell faced a challenging time at Chelsea, being excluded from the squad under manager Enzo Maresca. Despite this setback, he maintained a positive attitude and sought a fresh opportunity.
Now playing on loan at Crystal Palace, the defender is close to reaching the FA Cup semi-finals at Wembley, marking a significant turnaround from his period of isolation at Chelsea.
In an interview with ITV, Chilwell described his situation earlier in the season: “From the beginning of the season until January, I often trained alone. Not being part of the matchday squads, you`re just waiting for a chance to move elsewhere.”
He emphasized the importance of staying prepared: “If you move in January unprepared, you`re the one who suffers. So, these last few months have allowed me to mentally and physically reset and refocus.”
“It was tough,” Chilwell admitted about training alone for months. “But being ready was crucial for myself.”
Chilwell acknowledged the circumstances at Chelsea were beyond his control but focused on what he could influence: “I could control my approach to training every day, whether alone or with the team, and I aimed to manage that as well as possible.”
Maresca communicated directly to Chilwell that he didn`t fit into his tactical plans. While not personal, it was undoubtedly a setback.
Chilwell, known for his strong mental approach to sports, remained positive and secured a loan move to Crystal Palace in January.
Regardless of a permanent transfer at the season`s end, a return to Chelsea under Maresca seems unlikely.
After a Zoom call with Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner, Chilwell decided to join the South London club for a fresh beginning.
Chilwell has played at Wembley five times in his club career, with only one victory to date.
The Champions League winner debuted for Palace as a substitute in their FA Cup fourth-round victory over Doncaster Rovers and has played in subsequent rounds.
In the fifth round against Millwall, striker Jean-Philippe Mateta sustained a significant ear injury, requiring 25 stitches after a collision. However, Mateta has recovered and is fit to play against Fulham, which Chilwell sees as a major boost.
Chilwell praised Mateta`s importance to the team: “He`s the heart of the team, the loudest in the locker room. You need those characters who constantly joke and uplift everyone. Their presence is missed when they`re not around. Having him back this weekend is a huge positive.”
Chilwell mentioned his familiarity with Crystal Palace players: “I knew many players from the national team and from playing against them in the league. After speaking with the manager over Zoom and agreeing on various aspects, joining Crystal Palace was an easy decision.”
