Ben Chilwell makes Chelsea trophy prediction under Enzo Maresca amid 'world class' statement

Ben Chilwell has described the Chelsea squad as "world class" and believes they have what it takes to win trophies next season.

An inconsistent 2023/24 season saw the Blues finish sixth under Mauricio Pochettino, guaranteeing the west Londoners a place in the Europa Conference League next season. Pochettino left the club after the campaign, however, and Enzo Maresca was appointed as Chelsea's new head coach.

Chilwell will be hoping for more game time under the Italian after an injury impacted season. The 27-year-old featured just 21 times for the Blues last campaign as he struggled with hamstring and knee injuries.

Chelsea finished last season strongly, winning their last five Premier League games, and Chilwell believes that form can be taken into next season. "It was kind of the question mark the whole season, us having that consistency as a team," Chilwell told Chelsea's official website. "I think that, especially in the last month, it looked like it had turned a corner, which is massive because we know inside the changing room that on our day we can beat anyone.

"The squad we've got is world class, we just needed that consistency. If we can try and get that, the sky's the limit with this group. It's normal. This is a new team that has been put together, with a lot of players that hadn’t played in this league before.

"Of course we need to win matches, but realistically it was maybe going to be a bit of an inconsistent season, just due to those circumstances. It looks like, consistency-wise, we started to turn a corner and I think that is a massive confidence boost for us, going into next season.

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"Next season I want to win trophies with Chelsea. I'm fortunate enough to be one of the players here that's won trophies here before and I want the other players to be able to experience that as well. That's the next step that this group needs to take."

Chilwell is a Champions League, UEFA Super Cup and FIFA Club World Cup winner with Chelsea and hopes his previous success can have a positive influence on the squad's younger players. "My role here has evolved a lot," he said. "When I joined I was 23 years old and probably one of the younger players in the squad. So I went onto the pitch with a bit more freedom, because I had the older, experienced players around me who were guiding me.

"But now I'm the one welcoming new lads and that has been good for me personally and it’s good to grow that way as a footballer with the leadership side of things. Last season especially I tried to guide the younger players on and off the pitch, talking more in meetings, at half-time, before games, after games.

"I’m just being more of a vocal character and trying to guide our ship a bit more. It’s definitely been something that has helped me grow as an individual and as a player, 100 per cent."