With England set to play their final match ahead of the 2022 World Cup, it has become very apparent that there isn't a great deal of time left to impress to cement a place in Gareth Southgate's final squad, or perhaps starting XI. This international break has seen Mason Mount, Reece James, Raheem Sterling and Ben Chilwell from Chelsea involved with the England set-up for fixtures against Italy and Germany.
While the former trio have had fairly consistent involvement with England in recent seasons, Chilwell's place under Southgate has been more complex. The ex-Leicester City wing-back's injury record has not helped him keep a consistent place but Chilwell travelled to EURO2020 to not play a minute of England's campaign to the competition's final. Having to quarantine during the tournament of course, did not help.
That was off the back of form that saw Chilwell play an influential role as Chelsea won the Champions League but come September and the next international break, the 25-year-old was out of the England squad and only being slowly reintroduced to Chelsea's side by Thomas Tuchel.
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Chilwell was back in the squad for England's autumn internationals in 2021 and showing electric form for Chelsea too. He recorded three goals and one assist in six Premier League fixtures across October and November before an injury suffered against Juventus kept him out of the rest of the season outside of an outing against Watford on the final day.
Chilwell return to the England squad but saw Bukayo Saka selected to play left wing-back in defeat to Italy, with Luke Shaw the man to be introduced from the bench. Given the Manchester United star's lack of form with just two appearances this term, and the Arsenal ace being used out of position, it will not be the most reassuring news for Chilwell. Whether his opportunity comes against Germany may be telling.
Reports suggest that Trent Alexander-Arnold, James Ward-Prowse, Fikayo Tomori and Jarrod Bowen will be omitted and while that does not mean Chilwell will get significant playing time, it perhaps means his role is still being considered. A lack of playing time this evening, would leave a World Cup role of note difficult to come by.
There is little in the way of a standout choice for Southgate on the left at the moment. Shaw is out of favour, while Chilwell has had an impact for Chelsea this season, without being the regular option. The attacking wing-back still has plenty of opportunity to impress Graham Potter and a hectic October will likely provide opportunities for Chilwell to show his qualities.
However, Potter's familiarity with Marc Cucurella, and Sterling being utilised in a very attacking role as a wing-back with few defensive responsibilities in Chelsea's first game under their new boss, could leave Chilwell with a lot to prove. Any impression he can leave against Germany could prove crucial in earning a spot later this year, for any Chelsea form he can find to be truly taken note of.
The likes of Tomori's situation over the last 12 months proves that club form alone may not be enough, while Alexander-Arnold has not been favoured despite his role for Liverpool in recent seasons. The impact Chilwell has made in training and could make against Germany appears to be more crucial.
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