Chilwell has found the net four times for club and country this season already (James has the same total of Chelsea goals in 2021/22) and he is thoroughly enjoying making that contribution.‘Scoring goals as a defender isn't something that I get to do a lot,’ began Ben, ‘so when I do score, it's a nice feeling and thankfully last month, I was able to help the team with a few goals. I got my first goal for England which was an amazing feeling as well.

‘To be honest I think that is the part of my game that the manager [Tuchel] has probably helped me with most and improved me most, in getting opportunities in and around the box and to be more of a goal threat, contributing more with goals and assists.’Chilwell confirms that such is the way he is asked to play at the moment, he considers himself more of a midfielder than a defender.‘We probably do spend more time in attacking positions,’ he said. ‘For a few months the manager encouraged me and Reece or Marcos and Azpi, whoever ends up playing there, to not just stay on the touchline but to play inside, just play with freedom really.

‘He expressed that to us a lot. He told me and Callum [Hudson-Odoi] the past few games, or whatever combination is on the wing, that as long as one of us is wide and the other inside, it doesn't matter which way round that is. He says just get in the box as much as you can and help the team score goals.‘We've a brilliant defensive unit behind that can cover you and you just know you can express yourself, enjoy yourself and help the team score goals. At the moment, the wing-backs, whoever plays, are really enjoying doing that.’