NAPLES (AFP) – England and Chelsea left-back Ben Chilwell said on Tuesday that missing the World Cup with an injury made him mentally stronger.
The 26-year-old tore his hamstring just before the tournament to rule him out of contention for Gareth Southgate’s squad.
Chilwell returned for Chelsea in February and his form at club level has earned an England recall for Euro 2024 qualifiers this week against Italy and Ukraine.
“Of course mentally it is very challenging,” Chilwell told reporters on suffering his injury so close to the tournament in Qatar.
“All footballers go through periods of their career when things are mentally challenging and you have to be resilient, be strong, go through it and come through the other side stronger.
“That’s the way I’ve tried to look at things like the injuries I’ve had and missing the World Cup.
“I’m trying to spin it into a positive situation, so I can better myself mentally and physically, so when I come back playing I’m ready to help Chelsea and England as well.”
