Ethan Ampadu
Chelsea and youth – two terms that are rarely used in the same sentence. After all, the Blues are infamous for not providing their youth players with adequate chances and instead, send them away on loan to other clubs in Europe.
In fact, the last first-team regular to come through the youth system was John Terry. But now that record might change soon as the Blues have an exciting young talent in their academy, Ethan Ampadu.
Ethan Ampadu is a 17-year-old midfielder, who came through Exeter City’s youth system and made his senior debut against Brentford at the age of 15. Towards the end of 2016/17 season, the youngster was signed by Chelsea and he soon made his debut in the EFL Cup against Nottingham Forest. But since then, he has started only 7 matches for the Blues.
Maurizio Sarri’s arrival also brought in the likes of Jorginho and Mateo Kovacic to the club, thus pushing Ampadu further down the pecking order. And to lose a player like Ampadu could haunt the club in the future.
A budding talent can’t stay hidden for long. Ampadu made his competitive debut for Wales in a recent match against the Republic of Ireland, at Cardiff. And boy, did he take the centre stage!
It was a night where Wales were rampant in their 4-1 win and a 17-year-old was at the heart of all the good things. The Chelsea youngster thrived in a three-man midfield alongside Aaron Ramsay and Joe Allen. For the third goal, Ampadu won possession with a sharp tackle and he then carried the ball close to the 18-yard box, before releasing an exquisite through ball for Ramsay to finish it off.
Ampadu’s ability to stamp his authority in that manner only further emphasizes how he has matured during those sporadic appearances under Antonio Conte. Neat and tidy on the ball, Ampadu has demonstrated his discipline, despite being surrounded by world-class players. Clearly, he deserves the chance to start regularly for the London-based outfit.
The youngster hasn’t received any playing minutes this season but Sarri should provide him with more and more opportunities. The Europa League and the EFL cup are starting soon and that could be the perfect chance for Ampadu to display his class in a Chelsea jersey.
Doing so should allow him to adapt to the physical side of the game and slowly integrate himself into the first-team squad for the Premier League.
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Ampadu is a talented youngster with ample potential but he needs playing minutes for his growth. Chelsea have a long history of releasing their young players but Sarri should ensure that’s not the case with Ampadu.
