Ben Chilwell has opened up about receiving mental health help after lacking England’s World Cup marketing campaign by injury and says the stigma round it “needs to go”.
The Chelsea left-back tore a hamstring simply a few weeks earlier than the event and missed out on going to Qatar consequently.
However, having regained health, he has been recalled by supervisor Gareth Southgate and the 26-year-old is decided to take positives from the expertise.
“I’ve been talking to someone for a few years now, and I think the stigma around it is silly really, especially with men, and men in football in particular,” he mentioned, talking earlier than England’s Euro 2024 qualifier towards Italy on Thursday.
“The approach it has helped me, I feel it will possibly positively help everybody. The stigma is one thing that wants to go.
Chilwell tore his hamstring taking part in for Chelsea simply weeks earlier than the World Cup final yr
“Of course, mentally, it is extremely difficult. All footballers undergo intervals of their profession when issues are mentally difficult and you’ve got to be resilient, be sturdy, undergo it and are available by the different aspect stronger.
“That’s the approach I’ve tried to have a look at issues like the accidents I’ve had and lacking 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.”
Chelsea team-mate Reece James was additionally denied a spot in England’s World Cup squad due to a knee injury and Chilwell mentioned having his fellow full-back alongside him throughout their rehabilitation helped.
“Very pleased to see him back, I know what a great player Reece is,” added Chilwell.
“In a weird way it was nice to have each other during that time as it was someone you could share the pain of missing a World Cup with and we helped each other a lot from the experience.”
Now he has regained full health, Chilwell is trying to problem Manchester United’s Luke Shaw for the beginning place in Southgate’s aspect.
“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,” he mentioned forward of the workforce’s first Euro 2024 qualifier towards Italy in Naples.
“We want to be one of those very successful teams in the near future so if we are going to have competition for places at left-back it can only be a good thing and hopefully me and Luke can push each other.”
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