‘I like’: Terry Butcher suggests 25-year-old Chelsea player should be starting for England at the World Cup

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Terry Butcher has picked Chelsea’s Ben Chilwell in his preferred England line-up ahead of the World Cup.

Gareth Southgate’s England side commence their World Cup campaign on 21 November against Iran, so there’s less than a month until the international tournament begins in Qatar.

The final Three Lions squad of 26 players is yet to be submitted or announced, but let’s hope there’s a decent Chelsea contingent involved.

Chilwell, along with Blues teammate Mason Mount, are two players most neutrals will expect to at least go to the World Cup. Unfortunately, Reece James is fighting a tough race against time to return from his injury in time for the tournament.

Ben Chilwell in England line-up

England icon Butcher has suggested that Chilwell should be starting for his country in Qatar.

He says he’s a big admirer of the 25-year-old left-back/left wing-back, who’s realistically fighting with Manchester United’s Luke Shaw for a spot in the England XI.

The former defender has named a preferred backline that includes Everton keeper Jordan Pickford and Manchester United’s Harry Maguire, as well as Manchester City duo Kyle Walker and John Stones.

When asked to name his preferred England backline, Butcher told talkSPORT: “Pickford has got to be there… Right-back, for me, will be Walker. I like Chilwell at left-back. Two centre-backs, if Maguire and Stones are fit and get some games now, I would go with those two because they’ve got experience together, particularly at big tournaments as well.”

Described as “fantastic” earlier this month by Graham Potter, Chilwell will hope he’s done enough to retain his spot in the England camp going into the World Cup.

He’s comfortable playing as a wing-back or full-back, something he’s switching between more regularly now there’s a new boss at Stamford Bridge.

The fact he’s played 12 games so far this season proves his fitness is back after a long layout earlier in the year, but perhaps he’s still striving to find his very best form.

When picking between him and Shaw in this current form, it just comes down to Southgate’s personal preference.

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