Ethan Ampadu could have a big future at Chelsea
(Picture: Chelsea FC via Getty Images)Spezia manager Luca Gotti has revealed Chelsea view Ethan Ampadu as a key player at centre-back going forward.
The Wales international has struggled to cement a regular first-team berth at Stamford Bridge, making only 12 appearances for the club since his debut in 2017.
In order to aid his development, Ampadu has embarked on a flurry of loan spells in the five years since, most recently joining Serie A side Spezia after stints at RB Leipzig, Sheffield United and Venezia.
Signed as a 15-year-old from Exeter City, the 21-year-old remains an important part of Wales’ international set-up and is expected to travel to November’s Qatar World Cup.
Ampadu attracted interest from clubs in England, Germany and Italy before moving to Spezia and played 70 minutes of their loss to Napoli on Saturday.
While Chelsea have a number of options in central defence, all of Thiago Silva, Kalidou Koulibaly and Cesar Azpilicueta are over the age of 30 and do not offer long-term guarantees.
After Ampadu’s Serie A debut, Gotti said: “Chelsea are convinced that Ethan Ampadu is going to be a really important player as centre back in the future.”
