Chilwell: More silverware would be nice!
Ben Chilwell hopes he can bring further success to Crystal Palace, after rejoining the club on a permanent transfer from RC Strasbourg.
The left-back’s initial loan spell at the club last year concluded in the best way possible, lifting the FA Cup trophy at Wembley, before scoring against Wolverhampton Wanderers on his Selhurst Park send-off just three days later.
And now, the England international – who returned to Palace in a deadline day deal – says he hopes to bring further glory to the Eagles.
“It’s nice to see some familiar faces, and I’m just really excited to get back and see the boys again, and get cracking,” Chilwell told Palace TV.
“I've got such good memories from when I was last here, on and off the pitch. I’m super excited to see the boys who are here, meet all the new faces and the new Manager – and get started again."
Recalling the FA Cup Final triumph – and subsequent winners’ parade in SE25 – Chilwell smiled: “It was just such an incredible day for so many reasons.
“I’d obviously personally been to a few FA Cup Finals and not got the win, so together with Crystal Palace and such a close-knit group of friends, family, and the fans all together, it was just such a special day.
“And the parade as well… to see the way the fans were mixing with the players, and just the togetherness of everyone, it definitely left a mark on me, and I’m super excited to experience and feel that again.”
The 29-year-old brings with him vast experience of winning trophies at the top level, with the FA Cup to go alongside his UEFA Champions League, UEFA Super Cup and FIFA Club World Cup titles at Chelsea.
Chilwell noted: “I spoke to Steve Parish earlier and just tried to reiterate to him what I think I can bring, on the pitch and off the pitch in terms of playing European football.
“I've had success in Europe. The boys here have had success in Europe. I’m just excited to feel that with all the new players as well, and try and help as much as I can off the pitch with that experience.
“Hopefully, more silverware would be nice!”
Chilwell is also looking forward to being reunited with the Palace supporters: “When you go to Selhurst Park and play in front of the fans… and then the away support the fans bring...
"It’s hard to put your finger on it, but it’s a very special feeling.
“Every game was incredible to play in front of them. When I tell my friends and family about this [move], they'll be super excited to come back to Selhurst Park because they loved the home games and loved being in and around the fans. They just said how much they enjoyed it.
“It’s a really nice feeling that the players have with the fans here, and I’m just really excited to get that feeling again and try to help the squad, whilst enjoying trying to bring a smile to the Palace fans' faces.”
You can watch the full interview on Palace TV above!