Ben Chilwell must rebuild 'trust' with Chelsea and England by staying fit 'for a long time' after being handed his first start for the Blues in four months.
The left back has been blighted by injury and that has seen his stock fall.
But restored to the line-up for Chelsea's must-win Carabao Cup semi-final second leg against Middlesbrough on Tuesday night, Chilwell was given a challenge by Gary Neville on what must happen now in the run up to Euro 2024 this summer.
'When I watch Ben Chilwell play sometimes, you always feel like an injury is waiting to happen,' Neville said on Sky Sports.
'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.'
Full-back has been a real problem area for Pochettino and Chelsea, with Reece James suffering a spate of injuries, too.
'It's a massive problem for Chelsea that James are Chilwell, we're always talking about them. They never seem to be able to get them on the pitch,' Neville added.
'If that can happen, it'll make Mauricio Pochettino's job a lot easier.
'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.'
More to follow.
Zakclmpuz
1
With Chilwell back, Chelsea's game showed a marked improvement against Middlesbrough.He covered his position so well while also making dangerous forays into the opposition half.He allowed Levi Colwill to shine in his rightful position.May it last forever.🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏
saedisyz
0
Ben Chiwell, Wesley Fofana, Ogochuku, Christopher Nkuku, Reece James and Romeo Laviar this players are just at the club to get payed for nothing, they get huge amount of money without working for it. The Chelsea Scout executive directors and the Board must work hard and think big,we need proper replacements on those injury prone players who are not contributing anything to the club they are just milking the club. This system of signing injured players must come to an end, bcoz even if they come back from their injuries they get back again just after 4 or 5 games, like Rome Laviar he just played 18 minutes and he went back to the treatment room which is very useless business at highest level 🕺 Chelsea FC co-owners i like them in terms of spending money during transfers, but i just hate them bcoz they don't use brain 🧠 when buying, they just buy any floop no matter how expensive he may coast which is useless. Be wise enough, spend your money 💰 on players who will bring you profit in terms of winning trophies and a like. If you may want to sell a player like Enzo Fernandez , Jackson and Moise Caicedo, you are going to sell them at 💷 60 million combined or less which is a very very big loss. According to there performance, they are big floops in the squad of Chelsea. Chelsea FC must look for wingers who can dribble and make trouble to the opponents also look for midfielders who can shoot and score goals for the club. A club without midfielders who can't create chances for his team mates,who can't shoot and score goals that club or team is in a Big Big problems. A number 9 can be marked throughout the 90 minutes but midfielders they always find chances to shoot and score. Be brave enough spending money on useless players is so painful though it's not my money you are spending. It pains me a lot bcoz my heart is on Chelsea and my blood is blue
Maeeiortuy
0
talk of Luke shaw, lisandro Martinez, varane and caseimiro not our players
W0linhO
0
James and Chillwell, it doesn't even look like they care to improve something from their injuries. They don't care, save ur saliva Nev
Yorokiri
4
Talk about your Luke Shaw, leave him alone..
hasbcdmtz
2
God and talk about Man Utd. Leave Chelsea alone
miylmpt
1
yeah, you are right Mr Neville
Biodilmnyz
1
Welcome back to the team 💋🫵🏾🫵🏾
Bobbcdekyz
2
nkuku also
memdmnt
2
Correct Mr R James same storie
zihabdktuz
0
good luck
memdmnt
2
Correct Mr R James same story