Ben Chilwell claims that as Chelsea and Liverpool get ready to play each other in the Carabao Cup final in February, they have “unfinished business” at Wembley.
The Blues were defeated by the Reds in the 2022 edition on penalties, and three months later they were heartbroken by another spot-kick loss in the FA Cup final. After Liverpool defeated Fulham on aggregate in the semi-finals, the two teams will play again, and Chilwell, who was injured and missed both of the 2022 finals, is eager to exact revenge for previous setbacks.
The left-back, who played in the FA Cup final loss against previous team Leicester in 2021, stated, “There is unfinished business 100% of the time. We’ve lost three finals [two FA Cups and one Carabao Cup].
After Tuesday’s 6-1 victory against Middlesbrough in the semi-final second leg, he told the Daily Mail, “I was genuinely chatting to Thiago [Silva] in the shower five minutes ago about how we’ve got unfinished business at Wembley.
“As a team, we must make sure that we go and fully appreciate the experience in order for us to go and win. That’s equally significant since, as a prize-demanding club, Chelsea only has a small number of trophy winners.
Twelve days ago, Chilwell—who has beaten Liverpool three times in ten attempts—returned from a two-month hamstring injury and made his first start of the season against Middlesbrough while wearing the captain’s armband.
The 27-year-old defender has had to visit the physio room three times during his Chelsea tenure due to hamstring strains, but he claims he is approaching setbacks differently as he looks to assume a larger leadership position in a young team.
“I try to do more than the last time I got hurt,” he remarked. “This time, I didn’t lose any fitness because two or three days after I was hurt, I was right back to my exercise routine.
In addition to feeling fantastic physically, I felt good mentally against Boro. Throughout the entire time I’ve been hurt, I’ve made sure to be in meetings with the boys.
Chilwell gave an explanation of a conversation he had with manager Mauricio Pochettino following his most recent setback. “Now that I’m injured and can’t help on the pitch, how do you want me to help away from it?” Chilwell asked the manager a few days after he was hurt.
For a couple of them, coming to Chelsea and playing in front of the appropriately demanding supporters who want us to win because they are so accustomed to it, was a significant jump. Therefore, it was more about fulfilling my leadership role and making sure I was in meetings, talking, and supporting the younger players.
