Ben Chilwell is relishing the chance to continue his England career in Seville on Monday night.
The Leicester left-back made his first competitive start against Croatia on Friday after injuries to Luke Shaw and Danny Rose.
With Gareth Southgate deciding not to call up another left-back as cover, Chilwell is set for his third cap at the Estadio Benito Villamarin on Monday. Chilwell is delighted by the prospect of another cap for his country. “Hopefully I can get an opportunity to play again on Monday,” he said in the aftermath of Friday’s 0-0 draw in Croatia.
“Either way that's the gaffer's decision. When I get my opportunity, for me personally it's about taking that opportunity.”
Chilwell has worked with Southgate for years, going back to the 2016 Toulon tournament, which England won under Southgate, as well as appearances for the U-21 team. That means that he understands Southgate’s passing style, which he has always enjoyed.
“Obviously I know Gareth from before, from the U21s and from Toulon, and a few qualifiers a few years ago,” Chilwell said. “Even then he emphasised that he wanted us to play football the right way, which he feels is expressing yourself and being brave on the ball and playing out from the back. And in the senior team he is doing the same here. So it's very positive.”
So while Chilwell said there was just as high-quality level in international football as playing for Leicester in the Premier League, he said that in England there was more of an emphasis on passing football, which he enjoyed.
“For Leicester, I'm playing with quality players, coming with England, again, playing with quality players,” Chilwell said. “The style of football obviously with England is trying to play football, being brave on the ball, and expressing yourself. Which is something that suits me and suits all the boys here. So having that freedom to play from Gareth is very positive.”
