Chilwell needs just 15 minutes to change Neville's mind after Chelsea concern

23 January 2024 , 20:45

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Ben Chilwell impressed against Middlesbrough (Image: Getty Images)

Gary Neville was left purring over Ben Chilwell after the left-back's involvement in Chelsea's opening goal on Tuesday night.

Chilwell, 27, made his first start since September against Middlesbrough after recovering from a hamstring injury. The England star has pulled his hamstring three times since suffering a serious knee injury in November 2021, delaying his progress at Chelsea.

Neville is concerned about Chilwell's ability to stay fit and made his feelings known ahead of Tuesday night's game at Stamford Bridge. He told Sky Sports: "When I watch Ben Chilwell play sometimes, you always feel like an injury is waiting to happen.

"He looks a bit pensive and a bit tentative. It must be getting to a point at Chelsea where you need reliability and consistency from your defenders. You can’t always be talking about when players come back.

"He’s got to try - and it sounds like the easiest thing in the world - to stay fit for a longer period. Mauricio Pochettino needs to build a team and a back four in particular."

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Yet it took Chilwell just 15 minutes to impress Neville on Tuesday night. The defender won a 50/50 challenge before playing a brilliant ball through to Raheem Sterling. The latter then fed the ball into the middle for Jonny Howson to put through his own net.

"It was really good play from Chilwell," said Neville on commentary. "He's involved in almost a 50/50 earlier in the move, but what a pass!"

Glenn Murray, meanwhile, singled out Sterling for praise on BBC Radio 5 Live. The former Brighton striker said: "Really, really good play by Raheem Sterling. He keeps his cool and plays it and... I think it comes of Jonny Howson... Chelsea are back in the tie."

Chilwell helped Chelsea storm to a memorable win (Getty Images)

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Chelsea went in to Tuesday night's game needing a win after losing 1-0 to Middlesbrough in the first leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final at the Riverside. Thankfully for Blues fans, Pochettino's side were at their brilliant best at Stamford Bridge.

After Chilwell and Sterling created Chelsea's opening goal, Enzo Fernandez, Axel Disasi and Cole Palmer all found the net before half-time to give them a 4-1 aggregate lead. After the break, Palmer completed his brace and Noni Madueke added a sixth before Morgan Rogers pulled a goal back for the visitors. It finished 6-1 on the night, 6-2 on aggregate.

Chelsea will play either local rivals Fulham or Premier League leaders Liverpool in the Carabao Cup final on February 25. Those two teams meet at Craven Cottage on Wednesday night in their second leg, with Liverpool boasting a 2-1 lead.

Although Chilwell impressed on Tuesday night, he will need to stay fit as Neville suggested. The pundit added: "There's no hiding places at a big club with a lot of expectation. For Ben Chilwell, we know he can play for England, we know he can play at a high level, we know he's got great quality going forward.

"It's about making sure that he's building trust in injuries. I just hope mentally that Ben Chilwell is OK to the point whereby he's not going on to the pitch thinking, 'Am I going to get injured?' It's a terrible feeling and I do feel for him in that sense."

Tom Blow