'It would be the biggest middle finger' – Chilwell eyes World Cup ahead of Palace reunion

Ben Chilwell still believes he could make Thomas Tuchel's England squad for next year's World Cup, saying it would be a "middle finger" to his critics if he is on the plane.

Chilwell left Chelsea to join Strasbourg in September, having been frozen out of Enzo Maresca's first-team squad at Stamford Bridge.  

The left-back was limited to appearing in the EFL Cup in the first half of last season after being omitted from Chelsea's Premier League and Champions League squads, before joining Crystal Palace on loan in January.

Chilwell also found minutes difficult to come by at Palace, only making two starts and serving as backup to Tyrick Mitchell as Oliver Glasner's team won the FA Cup.

In pre-season, Chilwell trained alongside the likes of Raheem Sterling and Axel Disasi as part of Chelsea's so-called "bomb squad", but his fortunes have been revived in France, helping Strasbourg to fifth place in Ligue 1. 

Chilwell's next target is to return to the England picture, having won the most recent of his 21 senior caps last March before missing out on the Euro 2024 squad.

"What a story it would be if I went to the World Cup after I was in the bomb squad and everyone had counted me out 12 months prior," Chilwell said in an interview with BBC Sport.

"It would just be the biggest middle finger to so many people, which to me is a motivation. 

"Chelsea were honest with me and there's no resentment, but of course, I've got an ego, so it would be a nice feeling to prove some people wrong."

Chilwell also revealed he has held conversations with Tuchel, who coached him at Chelsea between 2021 and 2022, and has been told a recall is not out of the question.

He added: "Probably 99 out of 100 people are saying, 'No, he's not going, and it is impossible to go to the World Cup'.

"We've had conversations since he's got the job at England. I'll try and word it right... it has been said that it's not out of the equation."

On Thursday, Chilwell will be reunited with his former loan club as Strasbourg host Palace in the Conference League, and he enjoyed his time at Selhurst Park despite his limited role.

"Palace was tough because I loved the changing room. We won the FA Cup, the manager was amazing, but obviously I went there to play," Chilwell said.

"As soon as I went in, they just kept winning, so I couldn't knock on the manager's door. I've lost a few cup finals, so at least I got that monkey off my back with a good group."