Chelsea and England left-back Ben Chilwell is mourning the loss of his father, Wayne Chilwell, who has tragically passed away from a chronic illness.
The specific health condition has not been disclosed. Ben Chilwell paid tribute to his father on social media, hailing him as “the reason I am where I am” and recalling their memories together, including celebrating Chelsea’s famous Champions League win over Manchester City in 2021.
Wayne Chilwell, a native New Zealander, significantly impacted his son’s life and career. Ben Chilwell has previously credited his father with instilling in him the discipline and desire needed to become a professional footballer from a young age. He also revealed that his father introduced him to the core values of the New Zealand national rugby team, the All Blacks, which have influenced his approach to football.
Ben Chilwell’s sister, Alex, also paid tribute to their father, admitting that it had been a “tough year” for the family. She shared a black and white photo of Wayne on Instagram, writing, “Love you forever dad. The hardest year but you never stopped smiling. So grateful for the time we got together. I am so lost without you. Look out for me up there. I love you”.
Fellow England and Chelsea teammate Mason Mount sent his condolences to Ben Chilwell, writing, “Sending all the love brother”. Other England teammates, including Harry Maguire and Jude Bellingham, also expressed their sympathies.
