Ethan Ampadu is one of the most highly-rated young players in the country, and the 18-year-old has already been capped five times by the Wales national team.
However, he has yet to make a single appearance for Chelsea so far this season and this will surely be a cause of frustration.
Judging by the fact that Maurizio Sarri’s first-choice defensive players have been up to the task this term, it is hard to see Ampadu making a significant impact in a Blues jersey anytime soon.
For the sake of the club and player, Sarri should send the youngster on loan in January to continue his development and gain experience. If an offer comes in from Derby County, it should be a no-brainer for the Blues. The Midlands side, of course, have close connections to the Blues, with Frank Lampard managing them.
The Rams were keen on recruiting Ampadu during the summer but at that time, Sarri was not keen on such a deal.
If Ampadu does eventually end up with Derby, there is little doubt that Lampard will aim to groom him with Chelsea also in mind. Derby currently have two Blues youngsters on loan in Mason Mount and Fikayo Timori. Both are doing well and earning regular first-team action in the Championship, which will no doubt help their confidence.
Mount even earned himself a call-up for England’s UEFA Nation’s League games against Spain and Croatia last month.
Lampard is still a big fan of Ampadu and after the youth produced a man of the match display for Wales against the Republic of Ireland in the UEFA Nation’s League last month, he said, as quoted by the Derby Telegraph:“I shed a tear when he played so well! I know him, and similar to Mason Mount, he is a young player with real ability and a fantastic attitude.”
