Ben Chilwell will go to bed tonight contemplating how to stop Liverpool’s attack and rather than hoping to face a weakened opponent, the Chelsea left-back is desperate for Mohamed Salah to be declared fit because it will make the showdown more exciting.
Chilwell often runs through scenarios in his mind to help him prepare for a match and he will this evening attempt to manifest stopping the Egyptian star.
“Yeah, I’ll visualise moments in the match and what they are going to want to do in certain moments,” he says.
“With Salah, trying to visualise what he’s going to do and how I am going to combat that and try to neutralise him as best as I can.”
Salah sat out Wednesday’s Premier League win over Luton with fatigue in his hamstring but Chilwell adds: “Personally I’d love him to play because you’re playing at Wembley in a cup final. If I’m playing against Salah it would be exciting.
“I know he is quality, I’ve played against him enough times. He’s a world-class player and, if he does play, it will be important whoever marks him tries to win that individual battle.”
As a teenager looking to breakthrough at Leicester City Chilwell was linked with a move to Liverpool. It came from a successful loan spell at Huddersfield, who were then managed by David Wagner – Jurgen Klopp’s best man at his wedding.
And Chilwell says: “I was 18 when I was at Huddersfield. I think that was the link. I was at Huddersfield and me and David Wagner had a great relationship. I loved playing for him. I loved the style he played at Huddersfield.
“That style was very similar to what Liverpool play and I guess that’s how the link developed. I don’t know if it came close. It was a while ago but I had heard they were interested.
“I can’t remember why it didn’t go ahead but I was still trying to find my feet at Leicester. I hadn’t had a game at Leicester then. So I was pretty much focused on trying to get into the Leicester team. Not trying to run before I could walk.”
Chilwell is also driven by payback this weekend after losing both domestic cup finals to Jurgen Klopp’s side in 2022.
“Personally, it’s massive for me. We want to get revenge,” he adds.
“It doesn’t get much bigger than a cup final at Wembley. For the team in general, if we can get that first trophy it can give us the confidence, drive and hunger to get more.”
