£50m player could have been starting for his country if he left Chelsea this summer

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As is often the case, Chelsea had many of their players called up during this international break.

The above includes Chelsea academy graduate Levi Colwill, who was selected by Lee Carsley for England. The central defender actually started at left-back against the Republic of Ireland on Saturday but still impressed for his country.

The English media had positive things to say about Colwill following his performance against Heimir Hallgrimsson’s side.

However, if this summer had gone differently for his Chelsea teammate Ben Chilwell, it could have easily been the 27-year-old in Carsley’s starting XI instead of the former Brighton & Hove Albion player.

• READ MORE: Chelsea have now asked three clubs if they want to sign Ben Chilwell this month

Ben Chilwell could have been starting for England

Unlike Colwill, Chilwell is actually a natural left-back. With Luke Shaw out injured and Kieran Trippier retiring from international football, the left-back spot in the England team was there for Chilwell to take.

However, the Englishman was obviously not a viable option for Carsley, having not played a single minute of football this season.

Chilwell is not part of Enzo Maresca‘s plans, so he really needed to leave Stamford Bridge when the transfer window was still open.

Had he done that and played in the first few games of this campaign, then he probably would have got called up to the England squad and started the Republic of Ireland match.

What next for Ben Chilwell?

Chilwell has to leave Chelsea in January either on loan or permanently for the good of his career.

There is always a chance that Marc Cucurella or Renato Veiga get injured, which could give him a route back into the first team.

But if not, then the former Leicester City man, who cost Chelsea £50m, is going to have to leave west London in the winter transfer window.

Brentford tried to sign Chilwell late in the last transfer window, so perhaps a move to Chelsea’s rivals could be a possibility for the England international.

If Chilwell goes there and thrives, it could see him earn a recall to the England squad, with the Three Lions not having too many left-back options right now.