Ben Elliott (footballer)

Ben Elliott

Personal information
Full name	Benjamin Njongoue Elliott [1]
Date of birth	(2002-11-05) 5 November 2002 (age 21)
Place of birth	Kingston upon Thames, England [2]
Position(s)	Midfielder
Team information
Current team	Reading
Number	4
Youth career
2011–2023	Chelsea
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2023–	Reading	37	(0)
International career‡
2016–2017	England U15	3	(0)
2018	England U16	1	(0)
2023–	Cameroon	5	(0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 29 April 2024 ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 5 February 2024

Benjamin Njongoue Elliott (born 5 November 2002) is a professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for EFL League One club Reading. Born in England, he represents Cameroon at international level.

Club career

Chelsea

Born in Kingston upon Thames, Elliott joined the academy of Chelsea at the age of eight. ^[2] He suffered a serious knee injury at the age of fifteen, keeping him out for two years. ^[3] Following his return to action, he signed his first professional contract in November 2019. ^[4] He was linked with a move away from The Blues in November 2021, with fellow Premier League side Southampton being strongly linked. ^[5]

He was included in Chelsea's under-23 side for 2022–23 pre-season, scoring a goal against American side Real Monarchs in a 2–2 friendly game. ^[6] Later in the same season, he travelled with the senior squad to Abu Dhabi for a warm weather training camp during the Premier League's mid-season break for the 2022 FIFA World Cup. ^[7]

Reading

On 15 August 2023, Elliott joined EFL League One club Reading on a three-year contract. ^[8]

International career

Elliott was born in England to a Cameroonian father and English mother, and is eligible to represent both England and Cameroon at international level. ^[9] He had represented England at under-15 and under-16 level, captaining the under-15 side. ^{[2] [10]}

In March 2023, Elliott was called up to the Cameroon senior squad for the first time but did not have play time due to FIFA administration formalities that needed to be fulfilled so nationality could be changed. ^{[10] [11]}

On 10 June 2023, Elliott made his senior Cameroon debut in a friendly match against Mexico coming on as substitute for Bryan Mbeumo at the Snapdragon Stadium in San Diego. ^{[12] [13]}

Career statistics

Club

As of match played 27 April 2024 ^[14]

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition

Club	Season	League			FA Cup		EFL Cup		Europe		Other		Total
		Division	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
Chelsea U21	2021–22	—			—		—		—		2 [lower-alpha 1]	0	2	0
	2022–23	—			—		—		—		4 [lower-alpha 1]	1	4	1
	Total		—		—		—		—		6	1	6	1
Reading	2023–24	League One	37	0	2	0	1	0	—		2 [lower-alpha 1]	1	42	1
Career total			37	0	2	0	1	0	0	0	8	2	48	2

1. Appearances in EFL Trophy

International

As of match played 9 January 2024 ^[15]

National team	Year	Apps	Goals
Cameroon	2023	4	0
	2024	1	0
Total		5	0

References

1. Ben Elliott at WorldFootball.net
2. "Ben Elliot". chelseafc.com. Retrieved 3 March 2023.
3. "Reading move for Ben Elliott". Chelsea F.C. 2023-08-15. Retrieved 2024-06-13.
4. "Ben Elliott signs first professional Chelsea contract 📝". www.chelseafc.com. Retrieved 2024-06-13.
5. House, Alfie (9 November 2021). "Southampton reportedly targeting Chelsea's Ben Elliot". dailyecho.co.uk. Retrieved 3 March 2023.
6. Pasztor, David (20 July 2022). "WATCH: Ben Elliott scores wonderful solo goal for Chelsea U21 against Real Monarchs". msn.com. Retrieved 3 March 2023.
7. "Chelsea's travelling squad to Abu Dhabi". Chelsea F.C. 2022-12-05. Retrieved 2024-06-13.
8. FC, Reading (2023-08-15). "Ben Elliott signs on a permanent deal from Chelsea". Reading FC. Retrieved 2023-08-15.
9. "Four Blues called up by England". Chelsea F.C. 2023-03-16. Retrieved 2024-06-13.
10. "Chelsea development player named in Cameroon squad". reuters.com. 3 March 2023. Retrieved 3 March 2023.
11. Yomba, Steve Wilfried (3 March 2023). "Lions indomptables: Qui est Ben Elliott Njongoue?" [Indomitable Lions: Who is Ben Elliott Njongoue?]. camerfoot-infos.com (in French). Retrieved 3 March 2023.
12. "Mexico vs. Cameroon – Football Match Summary – June 10, 2023 – ESPN". ESPN.com. Retrieved 2023-06-11.
13. "Casadei and Italy defeated in Under-20 World Cup final". Chelsea F.C. 2023-06-12. Retrieved 2024-06-13.
14. Ben Elliott at Soccerway
15. Ben Elliott at National-Football-Teams.com