MK-born Ben Chilwell features as Chelsea lose FA Cup Final to Leicester
MK-born full-back Ben Chilwell featured as Chelsea were beaten by his former club Leicester in the FA Cup final.
The 24-year-old started the match at Wembley Stadium on the bench but was introduced after 68 minutes. The England international was introduced five minutes after Youri Tielemans’ 63rd minute thunderbolt, which had put Leicester in front.
Chilwell would feature prominently in two of Chelsea’s best opportunities to get level. In the 78th minute, the player made a connection with N’Golo Kante’s cross but his header was kept out by a combination of Kasper Schmeichel and the post.
Then, in the 89th minute, Chilwell broke free down the left and saw his cross for Kai Havertz deflected into the goal off two Leicester defenders, with Wes Morgan getting the final touch.
But in dramatic circumstances, a VAR check for an offside in the build-up ruled Chilwell had marginally strayed offside and the goal was chalked off. Chelsea were unable to respond and Leicester were able to see out the victory.
The result means FA Cup final defeat for Chelsea for the second year in a row, with the Blues having been beaten by Arsenal in last season’s final. Meanwhile, the result saw Leicester City win the FA Cup for the first time after defeat in their previous 4 FA Cup finals.
Chelsea and Leicester are scheduled to face each other again on Tuesday evening. The two sides are currently 3rd and 4th in the Premier League table, with both hoping to qualify for next season’s Champions League.
Chilwell’s team have another opportunity to grab silverware as the season ends. Chelsea are due to face Manchester City in the Champions League final, which is due to take place in Porto on May 29th.
24-year-old Chilwell was born in Milton Keynes and played for the Woburn Lions junior team as a child, before joining first Rushden & Diamonds and later Leicester at academy level. He moved from Leicester to Chelsea in 2020 for an undisclosed fee.