England starlet Ben Chilwell driven by envy to right wrong of shootout defeat against Germany

• e-mail

The dull ache that accompanied Ben Chilwell through his summer holidays made an unwelcome and unexpected return this week.

Leicester City's left-back had spent much of his break grieving over the penalty shootout defeat against Germany that cost England a place in the Under 21 European Championship final and he felt a sharp reminder when he reported for duty at St George's Park.

Much has changed for the U21s since that heartbreaking night in June, with the identity of the squad completely changing and Lee Carsley, the former Everton midfielder, being added to head coach Aidy Boothroyd's backroom staff.

Ben Chilwell played for England's Under 21s against Holland and is in line to face Latvia

The Leicester City left-back has welcomed a new wave of talented stars to the group

So why the flashback? Chilwell quickly explains. With so many of this group having graduated on the back of winning the Under 20 World Cup, he felt pangs of envy that he didn't have his own successful tale to tell. It is something, then, he intends to put right in the next two years. 

England started their qualification programme to reach Italy and Sam Marino with a 1-1 draw against Holland on Friday and Chilwell - who was the only starter in Doetinchem who lined up against Germany - believes they are well equipped to right the wrong of Poland.

'I bumped into (Southampton's) James Ward-Prowse in Dubai a few weeks later and we sat there speaking about it for literally four hours,' Chilwell revealed. 'It was clearly still hurting him as much as it was still hurting me. 

'I can't put into words how horrible it was, especially losing on penalties. It is a feeling I know myself and a lot of the boys from that night will never forget. There is no question I want to make up for it. This is my last tournament for the U21s and I want to win it.

England were beaten by German in the semi-finals of the European Under 21 Championship

Chilwell still thinks of that disappointment but is keen to be part of a successful campaign

The full-back has not featured this season

'I'm confident we can do that with this squad. The younger lads have won the U-20 World Cup and the rest of us either won the Toulon and/or were close to winning the last U21 Euros. 

'We're a very talented group and I'm 100 per cent confident we can go on and win it.' 

Chilwell, who was one of the best performers on Friday, relished the chance to start against Holland and he will seize the opportunity to get more game time against Latvia on Tuesday when England play their second Group 4 game against Latvia.

National service gives him the chances that are proving so elusive at club level - he only got 696 minutes in the Premier League last season and has not featured in the top flight so far this time - his desire to force his way into Craig Shakespeare's plans this year is apparent.

Chilwell is determined to establish himself in manager Craig Shakespeare's plans this term

'I'm at that age now when I am not happy to be sitting on the bench and not happy just to be travelling with the squad every week,' said Chilwell, who was not the subject of any interest on transfer deadline day.

'I know Christian is ahead of me, who is a really good player and it is difficult for me to get into the team. But I'm not a young boy anymore. I want to play in the Premier League every week and show what I am capable of. 

'This season I want to establish myself in the Leicester team. I have had a few chats with the gaffer (Shakespeare) and he knows how I feel. but, for now, the U21s is massive. It is a huge platform to show people what you can do.'