Report: Gareth Southgate set to hand Chelsea star first England star in almost 18 months
Ben Chilwell is reportedly set to start for England this afternoon against Ukraine in what will be the Chelsea defender’s first start for the Three Lions since 2021.
According to the Guardian, the left-back will replace Luke Shaw in Gareth Southgate’s starting XI as England host Ukraine at Wembley Stadium, with Chilwell not playing international football since a 10-0 win against San Marino in November 2021.
With Chilwell’s last start for England also coming in this international window, it has been quite some time since the Chelsea defender has lined up for his national team, with the left-back’s career being plagued by injuries over the last two seasons.
Chilwell missed out on the 2022 FIFA World Cup, alongside fellow Chelsea defender Reece James, yet the pair are now both back to full fitness, though the latter has recently pulled out of England duty due to a small injury that is unlikely to cause any long-term problems.
Indeed, with Shaw the clear starting left-back for England, Chilwell can make a huge claim for himself this Sunday against Ukraine, where the Chelsea defender could find himself marking his club teammate Mykhailo Mudryk, who will want a big display in the English capital, as well.
For Chilwell, though, the aim for today should be to enjoy the moment of returning to the England set-up after nearly 18 months of injury problems, with the defender now well on his way to playing his best football having suffered a personal hell out on the sidelines.
Chilwell want to shine for England today against Ukraine
It’s been a long road back to the top for Chilwell, yet the former Leicester City man now looks like a player reborn based on his recent performances for Chelsea, and the fullback will want to cap this comeback with a big display against Ukraine for England.
The eastern European country will provide a good test for Chilwell, and with the Wembley support backing the Chelsea man, there’s a good chance that the defender will have a game to remember and give Southgate some thought over the left-back position in the long-term.
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