Will Ethan Ampadu Ever be Given his Chance at Lampard’s Chelsea?

In a Sheffield United side that finished the previous Premier League season in 9^th place, Welsh International, Ethan Ampadu, must now show Frank Lampard why he does still have a future at Chelsea, as the Blades look to pull off the great escape from relegation in the new year.

Exeter born midfielder, Ampadu, 20, is currently playing his football with Premier League strugglers Sheffield United. On loan from Chelsea, the defensive midfielder, is looking to help keep his side in the topflight after they’ve picked up just two points from their opening 14 games.

Ampadu began his career with Exeter City before making the switch to Chelsea in July of 2017. He went on to make his debut in September, in an EFL Cup game against Nottingham Forrest, doing so made him the first player born in the 2000s to feature for Chelsea.

Since then, the Welshman has gone on to play just once in the Premier League for the Blues’ and after the arrival of manager Frank Lampard, it was announced he would spend the 2019/20 campaign on loan with Bundesliga side, RB Leipzig.

After making just three appearances for Leipzig, he returned, hoping to be given more of a chance within Lampard’s setup. Unfortunately for him, the Chelsea manager still felt he needed another loan spell to develop as a player, so he made the move to Bramall Lane, coming off the back of their previously successful campaign.

Ampadu has been played in both the centre-back position and the defensive midfield role, making eight appearances this season. He is yet to score or pick up an assist, but there have been promising signs.

With his side currently sitting 20^th in the Premier League and five points off 19^th placed West Brom, the 20-year-old has begun to show why his future will be a bright one. In Sheffield United’s recent 3-2 loss to Manchester United, Ampadu was one of the standout players for the South Yorkshire side.

As well as this, he has gone on to receive 13 caps for his country, Wales, and was a big part of helping them achieve qualification to Euro 2020 (now being played in 2021).

He is now one of the first names on Ryan Giggs’ team sheet, with his versatility coming in handy regularly. His range of long passing and powerful defending have made him a key component of a promising Wales team.

There is still time for the Blades to rescue their season and for Ampadu to show why he does still deserve his chance at Chelsea, but does Lampard think he has a future with the Blues?

The manager has regularly expressed his excitement about the young midfielder but believes regular game time is what is needed.

Chelsea fans are now used to seeing reports linking Declan Rice with a big money move to Stamford Bridge. Rice plays a similar role to Ampadu, so a move for the West Ham man, could spark an end to any future he has at the club.

He himself, has emphasised how he is just focused on picking up more and more minutes and says, what will be, will be, but it is certainly clear now that he does have the quality to take his career in whatever direction he wants.

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