Ben Chilwell marked a significant milestone in his Crystal Palace loan spell, completing his first 90 minutes for the club in their 3-1 FA Cup victory over Millwall.

The Chelsea loanee, who struggled for game time under Enzo Maresca, is now earning praise from Palace fans after a strong performance in the left wing-back role.

The 28-year-old was frozen out of the Chelsea squad in the first half of the season, making just one appearance under Maresca. However, his move to Selhurst Park in the winter transfer window has given him the opportunity to rebuild his confidence and showcase his quality. Palace boss Oliver Glasner has gradually integrated Chilwell into his system, and the defender looked sharp in his first full game for the club on Saturday.

Chilwell’s performance caught the attention of Palace supporters, who took to social media to praise the England international. One fan wrote, “Chilwell has been class. So fun to see our left wing-back actually getting forward.” Another commented, “Offside or not, that is an outrageous attempt from Chilwell.”

The Chelsea loanee wasn’t the only one catching the eye, as another fan observed, “Chilwell and Nketiah been looking class so far.” Some supporters admitted they had doubts about his signing but are now changing their opinions, with one stating, “Feel bad for doubting Chilwell now.” Another simply added, “Thought Chilwell looked bright.”

Joe Cole had previously backed Chilwell’s move to Palace, believing it was the right step for the defender to get his career back on track. With a natural fit in Glasner’s wing-back system, he could play a crucial role in Palace’s run-in.

Despite his lack of opportunities at Chelsea, Maresca acknowledged Chilwell’s professionalism during his time on the sidelines. Now, at Palace, the left-back has a platform to prove his worth once again.