Leicester City Youngster Ben Chilwell Credits St. George's Park for England's Summer of Success
Leicester City defender Ben Chilwell has attributed England's great success at youth level over
the summer to the FA's state-of-the-art training complex, St. George's Park.
According to a recent interview with the Leicester Mercury, the U21 England international has been impressed with the structure since an early age, citing the system as the cornerstone of England's triumphs across the board at youth level, but is hoping it is capitalised on at Premier Leauge level.
"The success has been massive," said Chilwell.
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"It just shows that what has been happening at the grassroots level of English football is bearing fruit."
The England U17s and U20s have both lifted the World Cup, while the England U19s became European champions and the U21s, featuring Leicester duo Chilwell and Demarai Gray, reached the semi-finals.
In addition, the U20 side retained the highly coveted Toulon Tournament, which current England manager Gareth Southgate won with his U21s side the year before.
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Regarding the systemic nature of St. George's Park, Chilwell explained: “When we were under-14s, under-15s and under-16s and we spent time at St George’s Park and they were trying to put the style of play in us.
"We are all used to it now, playing out from the back, being comfortable on the ball, taking the ball under pressure wherever you are on the pitch. That is all starting to have a big influence now.
"Obviously, the major thing is we are doing well in the big tournaments so as these players start to progress and we start to progress into the senior team there is a winning mentality about the younger age groups.
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"There is a lot of confidence and talent. It is exciting."
However, he was less effusive in his praise for the Premier League's nurturing of these precocious english talents, alluding to the fact that his own situation proves how hard it can be for England's fledgling talents to break through at club level.
"I wouldn’t say I have broken through yet but I am getting a lot more chances than I was," said Chilwell. "It has taken me nearly two-and-a-half years to start to get a few more chances.
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"The difficult thing is trying to bide your time and train hard, not let it get you down, and show a good attitude.
"If you train hard every day, when you get your chance you have to take it.
"The Premier League is competitive and there are a lot of good players coming from abroad so it is difficult but it is part of football now and you just have to get on with it."
