David Luiz has showered Chelsea teenager Ethan Ampadu with accolades, calling the academy prospect a “youngster who is already a man”.
After arriving at Stamford Bridge last summer, Ampadu has dazzled for the West London club. He became the first ever player born in the 2000s to make an appearance for the senior Blues squad in an EFL Cup third round match against Nottingham Forest. Overall, he made seven appearances for Chelsea in what he considered a successful first season at the club.
Under Maurizio Sarri, Ampadu has so far appeared in the Blues’ two pre-season matches and the highly-rated youngster has duly repaid the faith put to him by the new Chelsea manager. He started both of the club’s matches against Perth Glory and Inter Milan and excelled in partnering Luiz at the heart of the defence.
In an interview after their 1-0 win over the Glory at Australia, the 17-year-old centreback acknowledged the guidance he had received from Luiz who he says has helped him settle at the club. And the Brazilian centreback, who is a big personality in the Chelsea dressing room, equally had words of admiration for Ampadu. Speaking after their match against Inter Milan at Nice, the defender said the teenager is mature beyond his years.
“He’s a fantastic boy, a fantastic player. He’s humble, he has his feet on the ground, he tries to learn every day,” said Luiz. “He’s 17, almost 18 but for me he is already a man playing football, he’s great for me to have this opportunity with this youngster who is already a man.
“I have played with many players, different age, different times of life, so it is great to a player like him here. I try to advise him with many things, I have seen a lot of things in my career have lived a lot of things in my career, so I try to help him in the best way because he deserves the best advice.”
