• Ben Chilwell believes success can be sparked by World Cup regret.
• His injury prevented him from participating in the World Cup.
• He was out of contention for Gareth Southgate’s squad.

Ben Chilwell, a left-back for Chelsea and England, claimed that his injury prevented him from participating in the World Cup.

The 26-year-old was out of contention for Gareth Southgate’s squad when he tore his hamstring just before the tournament.

Chilwell made his return to Chelsea in February, and his performance on the club level has earned him a spot on the England roster for this week’s Euro 2024 qualifiers against Italy and Ukraine.

When Chilwell suffered his injury so close to the tournament in Qatar, he told reporters, “Of course mentally it is very challenging,”

“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.”

After losing to France in the quarterfinals of the Qatari tournament, England’s wait for a major tournament victory for the first time since 1966 continues.

The England coach has more options at fullback with the return of Chilwell and Chelsea teammate Reece James ahead of a challenging start to their qualifying campaign against Italy on Thursday.

Chilwell will be testing Manchester Joined’s Luke Shaw for a beginning on the left, while James has tough opposition from Manchester City’s Kyle Walker and Kieran Trippier of Newcastle on the right.

Chilwell added, “One of the keys to a strong squad and successful squad is when you have two or three in each position pushing each other as competition for places is important in all successful teams,”