Chelsea star Ben Chilwell’s heartache after dad dies of chronic illness as family pay tribute
BEN Chilwell’s dad has tragically died of a chronic illness as his family pay tribute.
The Chelsea star’s father Wayne, a native New Zealander and sports fan, died following a “hard” year.
Ben’s sister Alex Chilwell wrote on Instagram: “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.”
The England international, 26, is yet to comment on his dad’s passing on social media.
He said previously that his life philosophy was inspired by his father’s love of the Kiwi team All Blacks.
Chilwell said: “I’ve definitely been made aware of it by my dad.
“He’d tell me all the time the All Blacks are the best team to ever play sport and the way they go about things is very proper.
“He tried to bring me up on a lot of their ethics and morals. It is about just doing everything right, not taking any shortcuts, being respectful.
“Also, whenever you put your mind on something, do it properly. Do it 100 per cent or don’t do it at all.”
This inspiration led to Chilwell getting a tattoo of New Zealand on his arm.
Wayne emigrated to England in 1993, three years prior to his footballer son’s birth.
Before the Euros 2021 final, he wrote his son a good luck message.
Wayne told the Telegraph: “I’m so proud of what you have achieved, whether it was a 12-year-old getting in the local team, or a 14-year-old in academy football, or now at 24, a senior England international.
“We have so many amazing memories of you as a footballer and also just a little boy doing the things you loved.
“When you were four years old you loved that song ‘Step in Time’ from the original Mary Poppins movie and you would run and run around the sofa pretending you were Dick Van Dyke!”
A Chelsea spokesman said: “Neither the club or Ben will be commenting on his dad’s passing.”