Ethan Ampadu believes his most recent loan spell at Venezia has helped him a lot in his development.
The Chelsea player has already been loaned to the likes of RB Leipzig and Sheffield United, but his form in Venice hasn’t gone unnoticed, and he enjoyed his time on the Italian coast.
The 21-year-old was a regular feature in their defence, playing 29 times in the Italian top flight after enduring a difficult spell abroad with RB Leipzig.
Despite finishing bottom for the second consecutive year of his career, it was a beneficial experience to play some vital first-team minutes before returning to Stamford Bridge.
“I have learned a lot. The experience was to go there and learn a lot which I felt like I did,” said Ampadu who was speaking ahead of Wales’s World Cup qualifier with Ukraine.
“Overall, without it being a negative result as a team which affects me as well, maybe some of the performances I can take as positives.”
“I played a lot of football … Some positive performances and a lot to take from it. Every loan has its different challenges but maybe this is the most positive one.”
Italy is of course renowned for its defensive football and style of play, and Ampadu has found this incredibly beneficial.
He said: “Everyone speaks about the defensive side and tactics side and there is that”
“Obviously every league everyone focuses on defending and tactics but the way they maybe go about it is a more which helps being a defender player. I learned a lot from it.”
Now back in Wales, Ampadu is hoping he can help guide this team to their first World Cup since 1958, but he and the squad are keen not to let the weight of history lie on their shoulders.
“I don’t think you can get caught up what the game could mean as maybe you can miss out on the actual game itself”
“Hopefully we can do our job and then maybe think about that after. We need to think about it as a game of football it is.”
Like many of the players in the team, Ampadu has also spoken about the war in Ukraine, and it will factor into the game.
“We all understand and know the situation, all our thoughts and prayers go to them, and people associated with Ukraine”
“But when the game comes on Sunday as much as we are going to focus on it is a game of football. Both teams have to make sure that we are prepared well.”
The youngster was also part of the squad when Wales lost to Ireland in 2017, and while he does not want to relive that pain again, he believes it can give the team an edge.
“I was very young then. We all remember how we felt. Same as against Denmark. It is about trying to achieve our dreams”
“We all dream of playing in a World Cup, so we want to make it happen. That game does help us as we were that close last time, and we want to change it.”
Wales play Ukraine at the Cardiff City Stadium on Sunday in the European playoff final for a place in the World Cup.
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