What is next for Ethan Ampadu?

With a number of Chelsea’s defenders out of contract this summer, including big names such as Andreas Christensen, Cesar Azpilicueta and Antonio Rudiger, questions will start to be raised as to who can replace players of such stature.

Although it will be a major shock if all three or more players were to leave Stamford Bridge, it does still present a clear opportunity for Welsh international Ethan Ampadu to follow in the footsteps of a player like Trevoh Chalobah, who has regularly been a part of Thomas Tuchel’s side despite having little Premier League experience at the age of 22, one year older than Ampadu.

The 21-year-old has regularly been a part of the Wales squad since making his debut in 2017 and previously became the youngest starter in history for Exeter City, aged 15. Over the last few years, he has played in Germany with RB Leipzig and on loan at South Yorkshire side Sheffield United where he suffered relegation for the first time in his senior career.

With a permanent move or another loan spell still on the cards, it will be hard for Chelsea to ignore Ampadu’s stellar performances this season with relegation battling and Italian side Venezia, who are highly regarded as football fashionistas due to their stylish and eye-catching kits.

They sit 17th in Serie A with a respectable 22 points and a game in hand on relegation rivals Cagliari. This is the Italian side’s first season back in the top-flight of football for 19 years.

The versatile Welshman has played a pivotal role this season in keeping the Venetians above the drop zone and has done so playing in a variety of positions.

Mainly featuring as a holding midfielder, he has been allowed to showcase not only impressive defensive skills but also his ability to play the ball out from the back, something seen as a requirement for defenders in the modern era of football but specifically for Chelsea and Thomas Tuchel’s system.

The talented defender has featured in 18 of the 25 games his side has played this season, starring in wins against Torino and Jose Mourinho’s Roma, even picking up a point against giants Juventus.

With games still to play against relegation strugglers Spezia and Udinese, the end of Ampadu’s first season in Serie A looks to be an exciting one, especially with an enticing battle set to take place against Cagliari on the final day of the season.

2022 is shaping up to be the biggest year of his young career so far with the youngster almost certain to play a part in Robert Page’s Wales squad for March’s World Cup play-offs.