Mueez Ajao
– Chelsea full-back Ben Chilwell said the stigma around mental health “needs to go” after speaking about the help he received during his injury absence.
– The 26-year-old was ruled out of last year’s World Cup with a hamstring injury sustained weeks before the tournament.
– He said the absence was “very challenging” but was helped by speaking about the psychological impacts.
Also Read: Chilwell to miss World Cup due to hamstring injury
– “I’ve been talking to someone for a few years now,” Chilwell said.
– “I think the stigma around it is silly really, especially with men and men in football in particular.
– “The way it has helped me, it can definitely help everyone. The stigma around it is something that needs to go.”
– Chilwell returned from his injury at the start of February and has been included in Gareth Southgate’s England squad for qualifiers against Italy and Ukraine this week.
– He said watching the World Cup with Chelsea team-mate Reece James, who was also missed the tournament in Qatar with an injury, helped both players.
– “In a weird way it was nice we had each other during that time because it was someone you could share the pain of missing a World Cup with,” he said.
– “We helped each other a lot through that experience.”
– Chilwell added: “Of course mentally it is very challenging.
– “All footballers go through periods of their career where things are mentally challenging.
– “You have got to be resilient, be strong and try come through it. That is the way I have tried to look at injuries I have had, spin them into positive situations where I can better myself mentally and physically.”
– England play Italy in Naples on Thursday before hosting Ukraine on Sunday.
