Wales starlet Ethan Ampadu keen to battle for first-team berth Chelsea
Ethan Ampadu of Wales at MD1 Training. Wales v Azerbaijan Media Session at Cardiff City Stadium. Lewis Mitchell/YCPD.
Wales’ young gun Ethan Ampadu is keen to fight for a first-team spot at Chelsea this season.
Ampadu held a meeting with Blues bosses over his aims for the upcoming season.
The 19-year-old has returned to Stamford Bridge after an different loan spell with RB Leipzig.
Ampadu was limited to seven appearances with the Champions League semi-finalists, but impressed in their victory over Tottenham Hotspur.
Despite reported loan offers from Fulham, Norwich City and Trabzonspor, Goal has reported that Ampadu wants to impress Frank Lampard and prove himself to the Chelsea boss.
His status with the Premier League outfit will depend on his clubs’ movement in the transfer market.
Chelsea are reportedly interested in signing Declan Rice, after releasing him in 2014.
Rice is similar to Ampadu in that he can play centre-back and defensive midfielder.
Ampadu was deployed mainly as a centre-back for Leipzig but features as a midfielder for the Welsh national team.
Commenting last year on Ampadu, manager Frank Lampard said he was a target during his time at Derby.
“I tried to sign Ethan on loan at Derby last year, so I’m a big fan,” revealed Lampard.
“But with the minutes he played last year, in the interest of Ethan and of Chelsea, the idea he can play a lot of games somewhere could be good for him.
“I really wanted to work with Ethan this year. That’s a slight disappointment, but it’s to benefit of him.
“In midfield and defence we have a lot of quality, so each player is a case by case.”
The Exeter-born Ampadu’s stock rose this week alongside, Wales compatriot Neco Williams, after they were named on the 60-man shortlist for the 2020 Golden Boy award.
