Chelsea have been handed a huge boost ahead of the summer transfer window by tying Ben Chilwell down to a new contract. The 26-year-old has been heavily linked with a move to Manchester City in recent weeks as he continues to impress for the Blues.
Chilwell has agreed to extend his deal with the west London outfit by a further two years, keeping him at Stamford Bridge until 2027. In an official statement on the club's website, the defender said: "I feel very settled at Chelsea and have really enjoyed my time on the pitch here so I’m very pleased the club want me to be part of the project long-term, and am very happy to sign this extension to my contract.
"We are working hard for success and I will do my best to bring more smiles to the faces of the fans who have made me feel so welcome."
READ MORE: Six Chelsea players face suspension if booked in Champions League fixture vs Real Madrid
Chilwell has featured 19 times for the Blues in the Premier League this term, directly contributing towards five goals from left-back. Despite having missed a large chunk of the season through injury, the England international has been a shining light at the club.
He suffered a hamstring injury in November when Chelsea locked horns with Dinamo Zagreb at Stamford Bridge in the Champions League group stage. Chilwell pulled up clutching the back of his thigh in the fourth minute of added time before he was helped off the field by medical staff.
As a result, the defender missed the chance to represent England at the World Cup in Qatar. Speaking to the press in March, Chilwell explained how the injury affected him and how he received help from Chelsea teammate Reece James.
"Of course mentally, you know it’s very challenging," he said. "I think all footballers go through periods in their career where things are mentally challenging and you've got to be resilient, strong and try and come through out the other side stronger.
"That's pretty much the way I’ve tried to look at the injuries I’ve had and missing the World Cup, trying to spin them into positive situations and better myself mentally and physically so that when I did come back playing, I was ready to help Chelsea and England as well.
"It's difficult when you miss out on a World Cup but at the end of the day I'm an England supporter above all else," he added. "I've been an England supporter my whole life, so of course I watched the games.
"We were at a training camp in Abu Dhabi with Chelsea for the knockout games and, like I said, I'm an England fan so I was cheering the team on. I’m absolutely delighted to get called up and I’m focused on two very important games."
With Chilwell fit and firing on all cylinders again, he'll be hoping to win lots more silverware with Chelsea in the next couple of years.
READ NEXT:
Thiago Silva shock, N'Golo Kante return – Chelsea changes Frank Lampard may make vs Real Madrid
Chelsea in stunning Christian Pulisic transfer swap claims for Arsenal target
Six Chelsea players face suspension if booked in Champions League fixture vs Real Madrid
Chelsea braced for key 'announcement' amid Frank Lampard uncertainty
Chelsea news and transfers LIVE: All the latest news, views and rumours from Stamford Bridge
