Ethan Ampadu to have a conversation over his Chelsea future with Wales boss Rob Page
According to Belfast Telegraph (h/t Football.London), Chelsea youngster Ethan Ampadu is set to have a conversation regarding his future at the club with his Wales national team boss Rob Page, as confirmed by the latter.
Ampadu was with Chelsea in the pre-season tour to the United States and played some pre-season games too. However, he was not in two of the three Blues matchday squads so far and is yet to make a Premier League appearance this season.
The Exeter City youth product, who arrived at Stamford Bridge in 2017, is some sort of a veteran of loan moves. He has spent time at German club RB Leipzig, English side Sheffield United and Italian outfit Venezia.
The Wales international is a versatile player who can play in defence, as a defensive midfielder or as a fullback (preferably on the right).
Speaking with the PA News Agency (h/t Belfast Telegraph), here’s Page regarding Ampadu’s future:
“That’s a conversation I’ll have with Ethan. Ethan has proved in the last two to three years he’s not afraid to go and play games.”
“He’s done it in the Premier League, Bundesliga (RB Leipzig), and he’s gone over to Italy to play. He was back in the Chelsea squad on the weekend, so perhaps they have seen that he’s going to add value to the squad.”
“He’s had a pre-season to help him, and it’s great if he’s playing and a part of it. But if he’s not, then that’s something he might have to address. I will touch base with him and see how he’s doing.”
Even though he is currently with Chelsea and training with the first team, the 21-year-old has made it clear that playing football is a priority for him rather than warming the bench.
With the Qatar World Cup around the corner, the player is understandably eager to play and remain match fit to take part in Wales’ memorable World Cup campaign, only the second in their history.
With the variety of leagues he has already played in and having made 35 international appearances, Ampadu is better off looking for a route out of Chelsea sooner rather than later. The Blues, right now, have enough options in central defence and are looking to add more as well.
More Chelsea News:
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- Frenkie de Jong likely to stay at Barcelona amid Chelsea interest
From the Blues’ viewpoint, it would be better and sensible to let the player go, probably on a permanent deal this time. He was anyway not brought under the Thomas Tuchel regime. And with the 21-year-old chiefly being out on loan during the German’s reign so far, it seems as if this player-manager partnership isn’t going to last long.