Championship duo Aston Villa and Derby County are reportedly keen to sign Chelsea’s Premier League wonderkid Ethan Ampadu.
Ethan Ampadu is crying out for an opportunity to prove himself in professional club football.
Despite establishing himself as a regular in the heart of the Wales international team at the age of just 18, Ampadu, like so many hugely talented youngsters before him, has found it very difficult to force his way into Chelsea’s first-team plans.
The teenager hasn’t featured in a single Premier League squad all season. So the chance to move on loan to Aston Villa or Derby County, both of whom are keen according to the Birmingham Mail, is one that should be grasped with both hands.
But what could Villa or Derby expect from a player who has been tipped for the top ever since becoming Exeter City’s youngest ever debutant at the age of 15?
Well, praise from Ryan Giggs after Wales’ 4-1 thrashing of the Republic of Ireland in September speak volumes about the hugely promising Ampadu.
“Ethan is a talented player,” Manchester United legend Giggs told Sky Sports. “Even more so than that, as a person he is so balanced, so mature, for such a young player – he’s going to be magnificent.”
Ampadu is a centre-half by trade but his composure and impressive distribution means Giggs has used him at the base of midfield – meaning Aston Villa boss Dean Smith and Derby manager Frank Lampard would have a player with plenty of tactical versatility should they win the race in January.
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