Ben Chilwell begins to smile. He is about to reveal a secret and the look on his face suggests the Leicester City full-back feels his words will not be taken at face value.

This has been an eye-catching start to the campaign for Chilwell, one that has featured excellent performances against Manchester United and Liverpool. He looks stronger, more dynamic and fitter, so the question is obvious. Where did the improvement come from?

'It was in my local park where I live in Milton Keynes,' he replies.

Leicester defender Ben Chilwell has enjoyed an eye-catching start to the campaign

There is another smile. Now Chilwell, man-of-the-match for England's Under-21s when they drew 0-0 with the Netherlands on Thursday, begins to open up on the intensity of the work he undertook and the sacrifices he made.

During the long, hot summer, the 21-year-old made tweaks to his diet, cut out alcohol and every morning he headed to a simple strip of grass; this was football stripped back, a world away from the manicured pitches of Leicester's Belvoir Drive training facility.

But going back to basics was something he felt was necessary. There comes a point when a young footballer must turn initial promise into something more substantial and, as he reflected during a holiday in Dubai, the moment had arrived. He had to give himself the opportunity to deliver.

The 21-year-old produced excellent performances against Manchester United and Liverpool

'I had a regime,' says Chilwell. 'I had what Leicester gave me but then I worked with a guy around my house, a guy that my agent recommended. I worked with him for the three weeks solid, leading back into pre-season. We were just doing horrible running. Minging running! It wasn't pretty to be fair!'

There is more laughter. In the old days, players used to be flogged over long distances until some were physically sick but this high-intensity programme was designed to make him more explosive. The early indications are that it has paid off.

'It was just sprints,' Chilwell continues. 'Stuff that is relevant to my position, running up and down to the halfway line as much as I could. The MK Dons boys were there as well, doing training so I went to the other side of the pitch and kept at it. I don't see what's wrong with going to the local park!

Chilwell featured for England Under 21s against Holland at Carrow Road on Friday night

'Over the summer, you do have to take that time to relax and go on holiday with your mates and get away from football. But the three weeks leading back into the season everything changed; the diet was strict - no alcohol. Training every day.

'I feel like this season needs to be the season I push on. Last year was good but it wasn't anywhere near I know what I can be so over the summer it was about really just working as hard as I could so that when I came back for pre-season the gaffer didn't have any choice but to start me.'

There has long been a buzz about Chilwell. The last 12 months, though, left him wondering whether he would fulfil the potential that had attracted the attention of Liverpool and Arsenal in 2016. His form ebbed and flowed and, as he reflects, you can see how dissatisfied Chilwell became.

'I have always had confidence and known what I am capable of,' says Chilwell. 'So it is frustrating when you are not showing everyone what you can do. I I needed to come back. Yes, the first four games have gone well but it has to be the season where I play like that right through.

Chilwell talks to England Under 21 boss Aidy Boothroyd during training at St George's Park

'Come the end of the season, those four games will mean nothing. It is how you play for 38 games - that's what it is. Four games is good but if you want to be a top player, you have to play well for the whole season and then ten more seasons, not just three or four games.'

If he achieves that kind of prolonged consistency, Chilwell will become England's first choice left-back. Gareth Southgate is well aware of his potential, having seen him play for the younger national teams and, one day, it seems certain he will call.

The dream scenario would have been to win a first senior cap at the King Power Stadium on Tuesday, when Leicester hosts England's friendly with Switzerland, but instead he and his team-mates James Maddison and Demarai Gray will be in Riga, aiming to clinch the Under-21's place at Euro 2019.

'I'd be lying if I said I didn't wish I was there in front of the Leicester fans,' says Chilwell, who has been rooming with Maddison. 'I have been at Leicester since I was 12 and to play for England at the King Power Stadium is obviously going to be my dream.

'But I'm here with the 21s and my full focus is on the 21s. It's the same for Demarai and "Madders". If I keep playing well for Leicester, all I can do is keep trying to knock on the door.' If his call is answered, you can guarantee he will be smiling again.