Carabao Cup is more important than Champions League — Chelsea star

Ben Chilwell has boldly claimed the upcoming Carabao Cup final against Liverpool could eclipse the club's Champions League triumph in terms of importance. 

As Chelsea prepares to face off against Liverpool, Chilwell, alongside Reece James and Thiago Silva, remains one of the few links to Chelsea's glorious night in Porto three years ago. 

Amid a whirlwind of changes at Stamford Bridge, both on and off the pitch, Chilwell's perspective offers insight into the evolving ambitions of the club.

Chilwell suggests that, while the Champions League represents the pinnacle of Chelsea's past achievements, Sunday's Carabao Cup final could herald the dawn of a new era. “I think this is arguably more important,” he opined, per the Independent. "If we can get that first trophy as a team, it can give us the confidence, drive, and hunger to get more.

“The prestige of the Champions League is obviously higher but I’d say this final is arguably more important in terms of where the club is, with the group we have now. It would be massive for the club and arguably would be bigger than the Champions League, not in prestige, but in the direction we want to go,” Chilwell explains.

Despite the lesser prestige of the Carabao Cup compared to the Champions League, Chilwell argues its significance is paramount for the current squad's journey, marking a pivotal moment in Chelsea's transformation.

At 27, Chilwell finds himself among the senior figures in a youthful Chelsea squad, a stark reversal from his early days at the club. This shift underscores the extensive overhaul Chelsea has undergone, emphasising the need for seasoned players like Chilwell to instil a winning mentality among newcomers. 

"I’d still love to be one of the kids, messing about," he admits, highlighting the balance between maintaining a light-hearted team spirit and fostering a culture of ambition and resilience.

As Chelsea gears up for the final, their journey to Wembley has been less about glamour and more about grit. With victories over Wimbledon, Brighton, Blackburn, Newcastle, and Middlesbrough, Chelsea's path has been a testament to their resolve rather than a showcase of dominance. 

This pragmatic approach, Chilwell notes, is crucial for a team striving to rebuild its identity and compete at the highest level once more.