Benjamin Chilwell is one of England’s most promising young fullbacks who recently joined Chelsea for a 45 million Pounds fee from Leicester City.
He is known for his pace, ability to attack the ball and provide pinpoint crosses and to fall back at times to provide the defensive cover needed. He was a part of the Leicester’s title winning squad of the 2015-16 campaign but was sent out on loan to Huddersfield Town in search of more game time. He was touted as one of the most promising young fullbacks in the world by ex-Manager Claudio Ranieri.
Now only 23, he has already shown glimpses of his attacking and defensive contribution in the Eight appearances he has for The Bues this Premier League campaign which have also resulted into goals and assists. He formed a formidable fullback partnership with Riciardo Pereira at the King Power stadium which eventually gave Frank Lampard the green signal to secure his security services for the London based club. So here are some unknown facts about the young English full back:
1) Chilwell played rugby in his early years
Benjamin James Chilwell was born in Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire on 21st December 1996. he was a regular school boy who had passion for rugby during his early days. He attended the Redbone Upper School and Community College. The accidental left back turned England’s first choice, Benjamin Chilwell had a pretty decent start to life as he was gradually introduced to football because of the English culture.
2) Ben’s Parents migrated to England from New Zealand!
Benjamin’s father Wayne Chilwell and his grandfather migrated to England from New Zealand in 1900s and hence he has roots back to the Kiwi Land. his upbringing was not in the most typical British way because of his New Zealandic heritage. Having routes to the island nation, rugby was considered as the most passionate sport in his household. He has an elder brother who also helped him realise footballing dream.
3) He was the first one who introduced football to his family!
Having a strong New Zealand Kiwi Ancestry, Ben Chilwell was involved in a couple of sports – cricket and football. With his family mostly familiar and interested in rugby and cricket, Chilwell was the first in a family to actively take up football and started pursuing it as a career option. Though once he decided to play a football his father was very supportive of his abilities. In an interview with the Guardian some years back, Chilwell was quoted saying,
“He [his father] used to get me to try and hit the crossbar with my left and my weaker right foot.”
“It was only when I started playing that my parents took an interest in the game and now they love it”. Ben adds.
4) The boy who changed from Cricket Flannels to Football Shorts!
After spending enough home practice in his backyard in Milton Keynes, Ben’s Father agreed to admit him with the local football team Woburn Lions. After some months, Chilwell shifted to the Bletchley Youth Football Academy in a shot to gain more exposure to a bigger football Club and then several months later, he tried to gain entry to the Rushden and Diamonds Football Team. This move brought the best out of him and eventually Leicester City scouts helped him negotiate a transfer with the Foxes. It was during this time when Chilwell also started playing cricket an amateur level and had a trial with the ECB England under 15 squad. He was a part of the Northants Academy for Cricket. Continuing from his interview with the Guardian,
“I also had another toys to make at this stage as I was probably better at cricket than I was at football. I wasn’t really enjoying cricket as much. They were long days and often with people who didn’t really my friends. That time while I probably wasn’t as good at football, I just decided to give football one last opportunity”.
5) Enter Leicester and the Fairy Tale 2015-16 PL Winning Campaign!
After three unsuccessful and stagnant years at Leicester City’s Academy, Chilwell was afraid that he might be released from the under 15 squad because he couldn’t break into the senior squads. He had luck in his favour as he was not released despite not having good performance. That was the turn of events for him as he won the Academy player of the year award at the end of the 2014-15 Football season. Then Manager Claudio Ranieri was impressed by his performances and was gave him the number 30 shirt ahead of the 15-16 fairytale Leicester campaign. During the mid-season he join championship club Huddersfield Town on a youth loan deal where he spent the rest of the season. The next three seasons with Leicester established him into a very well versed fullback known for his defensive contributions and an energetic work ethic. The Premier League took notice of the youngster and it was Chelsea who swooped in first under Manager Frank Lampard.
6) Ben is a fan of the Chicago Bulls and Michael Jordan!
During his time is Leicester, Chilwell was inspired by basketball and the 1990s Chicago Bulls dynasty. He loved watching the old Michael Jordan moves and that motivated him to sport. During the coronavirus pandemic he watched the documentary series named “The Last Dance” which focuses on the final NBA title won by Michael Jordan. He loved the documentary and said that “it was the best thing to watch as an athlete myself because it just motivates you”. In an interview with the Daily Telegraph, he said “When you see Michael Jordan, an elite competitor in sport, it’s easy to think about doing exercise by yourself at home. It reminds me of the levels you have to be at to reach the top”.
7) He idolised his current manager, Frank Lampard as a player!
Frank Lampard the current Chelsea manager played for the blues and West Ham United between 1995 and 2014. Many English boys and girls had been inspired by him and one such was young Benjamin Chilwell. Frank Lampard orchestrated midfield while wearing the Blue of Chelsea and the English White. Benjamin now works under his idol and is already shown his ability on the ball both offensively and defensively.
8) Ben Chilwell is rumoured to be dating the British Beauty, Joanna Chimonides!
Ben Chilwell is rumoured to be dating Joanna Chimonides. She is a Graduate from the University of Leicester with a degree in Psychology. She has been with Benjamin since 2017 a year before his memorable England call up. She has rarely been spotted attending Leicester’s games but the two have been spotted by the Paparazzi dining in Restaurants and at vacation homes. There are rumours that the two have broken up but obviously with no certainty.
9) Drives the super-fast BMW i8, whoosh!
The then chairman of Leicester City Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha had presented each of his Championship winning squad member with a BMW i8 in Leicester City’s blue colours. The Thai Billionaire’s extra ordinary present came on top of a bonus of 6.5 million pounds which was distributed among the players in a deal with the Barclays Premier League. Ben Chilwell was spotted several times driving it to Leicester’s Training base. The car has a top speed of a smooth 160mph and costs roundabout 100000 Pounds.
10) Was left devasted by Viachai Srivadhanaprabha’s untimely demise!
One man who had a materialistic impact on his career was Leicester City’s Thai owner Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha. It was under his ownership that Chilwell was bought at Leicester. On 27th October 2018 an AugustaWestland helicopter crashed shortly after take-off from the King Power Stadium. All five people on board the pilot and four passengers including the club owner Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha were killed. Chilwell was devastated by the death stating that it was “Horrible. It was the coldest hardest thing to come in to on the Monday”.
11) Ben Chilwell’s best friend is James Madison who calls him ‘Chilly’!
England midfielder are ex Leicester City team mate James Maddison is Benjamin Chilwell’s best mate. He has been photographed several times hanging out together with him in pubs and fancy restaurants in London and Leicester. James, now targeted by Manchester United and Liverpool, calls him ‘Chilly’, his nickname. Both are almost the same age and have seen their footballing graphs move upwards pretty quickly recently.
12) Chilwell’s Market value is a jaw dropping 45 Million Pounds!
Benjamin Chilwell’s market value has shot astronomically after being a regular in Gareth Southgate’s Young English squad. His move to Chelsea was worth a whopping 45 Million Pounds. He commands a weekly salary in the range of 120K-150K pounds. The defender has his family house near Milton Keynes and also reportedly owns a small house in Leicester.
13) A high potential player on FIFA 21!
Benjamin Chilwell is one of the most sought after full back in FIFA 21 because of his English Nationality and gameplay. He has a decent 81 rating in the game with potential to reach a smooth 85. His defensive stats are fairly good with a 78 interception rating and an 82 slide tackle accuracy. He has a 3-star week foot and 3-star skill moves. With a stamina of 88, Chilwell can easily last a full 90 minutes of a football match.
