https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/-b1013268.html
Chelsea: Ethan Ampadu wants to be part of Blues squad next season after
impressing during Venezia loan
By Nizaar Kinsella - 19 Jul 2022
Ethan Ampadu is proud to be in Chelsea's pre-season squad - but is
determined to convert his chance and become a permanent presence in the
first-team set-up.
The 21-year-old centre-back was on loan at Venezia last season and has
survived an initial cull of loanees from the Chelsea squad in America -
with Billy Gilmour and Tino Anjorin being sent home to train with the
Under-23s.
In the 2-1 win over Club America in Las Vegas at the weekend, Ampadu
performed well during his 45-minute display in the second half. He wants
to do what Trevoh Chalobah did last season and force his way into Thomas
Tuchel's plans.
“Of course [I want to emulate Chalobah] but it's not just me as there are
a few of us with that same mindset that want to break through,” Ampadu
said.
“We're out here now and it's our chance to show it. Like every footballer
out there, my dream is to be at the top. I don't think that's a bad thing
to say and dream; everyone wants to be at the top. It's about fighting and
getting towards that.
https://i.imgur.com/oJFkqXO.jpg
“I just want to keep improving, keep putting my head down, fighting and
working every day. That starts in pre-season to try to get the chance.
It's hard to say because I am not at the top, I'm not playing week in,
week out for a team trying to win the Premier League and Champions League.
“So until you get to that point – and once you get there you have to
maintain – but it's about getting there. This club fights for everything:
Champions League, Premier League. It's all about fighting here and trying
to get to the top.”
Ampadu, a versatile defensive player, played for Tuchel in the middle of a
back three in the opening pre-season match. He replaced Thiago Silva at
half-time against Club America and isn't concerned that he often changes
position... as long as he isn't playing as a striker.
“Fortunately just not as a striker!” he joked. “I played in the middle
in a back there today and he knows that I can play in a variety of
positions – last pre-season I think I played as a midfielder a little
bit. So it's about trying to show what I can do in whatever position he
puts me in.”
Ampadu's future could be tied to possible incoming signings, with Paris
Saint-Germain's Presnel Kimpembe and Sevilla's Jules Kounde in talks over
moves to Chelsea.
Regardless, these pre-season games will perfectly showcase Ampadu's
talents, whatever the future holds, and he believes he is a better player
than he was a year ago - after a successful loan spell in Italy.
“I learned a lot about myself and definitely improved,” he said. “So
it's just about taking that momentum and trying to carry on. I'm nowhere
near to where I want to be yet so there's still a lot way to go.
“It's labelled as a very tactical and defensive league [in Serie A] but
there is a lot of great quality going forward. You learn little tweaks and
details to try to make yourself better as a defender.
https://i.imgur.com/FmR0tFg.jpg
“I was happy to go anywhere to play football. That was in Italy and I
enjoyed it out there. It's one of the top five leagues, it's a very good
league.
“And it was a good experience. Yes, it was hard at times because we were
losing quite a bit but I feel like it was a good loan. Everyone says and
agrees that the only way you develop is by playing games and last season I
was fortunate to play a lot of games week in, week out.”
The next move is important for Ampadu, who has the chance to play at the
World Cup with Wales in November. Even with England in the same group as
Wales in Qatar, first and foremost Ampadu is keen to focus on his club
football.
“The World Cup definitely adds something else but even If there wasn't
the World Cup, as a professional footballer you want to play,” he
concluded.
“I enjoy playing and I want to be playing week in, week out. But the
World Cup is definitely something you want to be going into feeling fit
and fresh.”