Newly-promoted Premier League side Aston Villa are reportedly planning a loan move for Chelsea’s teenage sensation Ethan Ampadu.
Chelsea prodigy Ethan Ampadu has emerged as a transfer target for newly-promoted Aston Villa, with Dean Smith’s side keen on signing the teenager on a season-long loan deal, according to a report from The Sun.
Ampadu joined Chelsea from Exeter City in the summer of 2017 as a highly-rated prospect. The midfielder went on to make his first-team debut for the West London outfit in December later that year under then manager Antonio Conte. Till date the 18-year-old has accumulated 12 appearances for Chelsea, five of which came in the last season.
Following Frank Lampard’s appointment as the new Chelsea manager, the Blues’ academy prospects can expect to get a look-in into the senior setup in the upcoming season. However, Ampadu will not be a part of the former England international’s plans, as he wants the youngster to gain some valuable experience by securing a loan move.
To that end, Ampadu has not travelled with the rest of the Chelsea squad on their pre-season trip to Japan. And speaking of the Welshman’s situation, Lampard said (h/t The Sun): “Ethan is not here as we’re looking at the possibility of his going on loan for the season.
“I tried to sign Ethan on loan at Derby last year, so I’m a big fan, but with the minutes he played last year, I have to think of the bigger picture and the interests of Ethan and of Chelsea. The idea that he could play a lot of games somewhere is good for him and we haven’t brought him here while that is up in the air.”
This has put a number of clubs on alert, with Aston Villa reported to be at the forefront. The Villans are back in the Premier League, courtesy of a playoff final win over Lampard’s former club Derby County, and have been on quite a summer recruitment drive, as they look to build a squad capable of avoiding relegation back to the Championship.
Dean Smith’s side are still on the lookout for a defensive midfielder, which has led them to consider signing Ampadu. The fact that the Wales international can also play as a centre-half is seen as an added advantage by the club.
Villa have a good working relationship with Chelsea, having had Tammy Abraham on loan last season. Given that former Blues’ captain and legend John Terry is the assistant manager of the Midlands’ outfit, they have a very good chance of landing Ampadu on loan for the upcoming season.
