BEN Chilwell says Chelsea’s newest players were left in no doubt just how important beating Fulham is ahead of Saturday’s 1-0 SW6 derby clash at Stamford Bridge.
Chilwell made a welcome return from the bench after four months out with a hamstring problem, coming on to replace Raheem Sterling in the 77th minute.
Now into his fourth year at the club, he is more aware than most what beating the Cottagers means to Blues fans.
And he revealed manager Mauricio Pochettino emphasised the point to the latest signings ahead of their latest weekend’s clash.
“It is a derby – that is pretty much it,” he replied to Chelsea TV when asked what the pre-match message had been from Poch.
“For the boys who don’t know that it was a derby, we definitely let them know that it was a massive game.
“We had to get the win and nothing less. That was the kind of message before the game.”
Saturday’s game was settled by Cole Palmer’s first half stoppage time penalty and Chilwell felt it was the perfect response to last Tuesday’s 1-0 first leg Carabao Cup semi-final loss at Middlesbrough.
He explained: “It was very important after the disappointing result (v Boro) that we bounced back, got the win today and then we’ve got 10 days now until the next game.
“So it was important that we won today and then hopefully the momentum now can take us into the second leg.
“I think that is four Premier League wins here in a row.
“We’ve got the second leg, which is here again, and I’m sure everyone will get behind us.
“Hopefully we can have another special night.”
That second leg next Tuesday is sure to be a sellout, with Chelsea desperately trying to book a Wembley final spot and secure a first domestic trophy since 2018.
With the Blues now unbeaten on their own patch since late October, Chilwell believes the Stamford Bridge supporters can see things have improved following a tricky spell of poor results in the stadium.
He said: “When we play here in front of the fans and we play positive attacking football, which is what we are trying to do, the fans get behind us. We saw that today.
“The longer the game went on, the fans were getting behind us.
“We were playing forward, playing the kind of football they want to see and we got the goal.
“Cole again stepped up and delivered, which he has been brilliant (at) this season.
“Hopefully we can just keep doing that – trying to play positive football and picking up those results.
“Like I said, it is a big game coming up so I’m sure the fans will be up for it as well.”
