Chilly's return can light a fire under Chelsea on and off the pitch

Ben Chilwell can provide Chelsea with a much-needed spark between now and the end of the season.

The England left-back, 27, has been hampered by a hamstring injury but provides experience and assuredness to a side that has regularly appeared naive.

And with the Blues in need of a big performance tonight to overturn a 1-0 deficit in the second leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final against Middlesbrough, there is no time to waste.

Ahead of that crunch tie, we analyse the impact vice-captain Chilwell can have on Mauricio Pochettino's young team.

Time to get going

Chilwell wrote on Instagram that he "can't catch a break" after picking up his latest injury last September.

But after a series of false starts, this return to action needs to be the beginning of a consistent run of form.

The former Leicester man has struggled to string games together since suffering an ACL injury in November 2021 and is at risk of not fulfilling his potential as one of the best in the world in his position.

With plenty still to play for this season, now would be the perfect time to rediscover the verve that saw him star in the Blues' Champions League triumph under Thomas Tuchel in 2021.

Wet behind the ears

Chilwell has not just missed Chelsea — the Blues have sorely missed him.

Of the 23-man squad that overcame Manchester City in Porto in May 2021, only he, Thiago Silva and skipper Reece James remain at the club.

And while Pochettino's men have not always performed as poorly as their Premier League position suggests, they have certainly looked wet behind the ears.

After taking the captain's armband during an appearance from the bench in the 1-0 win over Fulham earlier this month, Chilwell believes he can be the answer.

He said: "We're a very young team, we just need a bit more leadership. 

"I want to try and take on that role and help the team in that respect."

Attacking thrust

Chilwell can also provide fresh impetus for a Chelsea side outscored by seven of their top-flight rivals this season — and perhaps more significantly, one that failed to break through against Boro a fortnight ago.

He ranks third for goals and seventh for assists per 90 minutes of all Premier League left-backs to play more than 1,000 minutes since signing for the West Londoners in 2020.

As one of only two players to feature in the top 10 on both of those lists, his threat is evident when he is fit and firing.

Central defender Levi Colwill has been standing in at left-back but Chilwell's return to the starting XI will provide a different dynamic.

Three Lions dream

A successful comeback could also reignite Chilwell's England career, with a place in Gareth Southgate's Euro 2024 squad still a possibility if he can remain fit between now and June.

Southgate has handed Chilly all 19 of his international caps — most recently starting him in September's 1-1 draw with Ukraine.

And with Luke Shaw injured and Kieran Trippier out of form, the slot on the left-hand side of England's defence is not as nailed down as it might have seemed a few months ago.

It means there is much to aim for — beginning with leading Chelsea into the first domestic cup final of the season.