Composed Ampadu display proves Chelsea have yet another star youngster in their ranks

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Written by Luke Blakemore, owner of Breathe Chelsea

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If Chelsea’s progression to the semi-finals of the Carabao Cup over Bournemouth on December 20 ensured Antonio Conte’s primary target for the evening was met, then the performance of Ethan Ampadu can be considered a secondary yet very significant bonus. The Italian manager rotated his team for the game, giving several fringe players a chance to progress, meaning Chelsea’s narrow 2-1 win will have been all the sweeter for Conte as several first team players were given an all-important rest.

Yet this was far from smooth sailing for the Blues. Though rested initially, both Eden Hazard and Alvaro Morata were introduced and combined superbly for a dramatic late winner, while Tiemoue Bakayoko was also a second half substitute. A clear indicator of how well 17 year-old Ethan Ampadu played in this game is that none of these players were introduced in place of the Welshman, despite the fact he was walking a tightrope for the entirety of the match having been booked just two minutes in.

Ampadu’s yellow was certainly justified as his tackle on Jermaine Defoe was firm, causing the English forward to depart the field early due to an injury to his ankle. However, that negative arguably made the rest of his display all the more impressive, as the composure Ampadu showed to defend so strongly for the rest of the game without giving the referee a chance to give him a second caution was first-class.

To say the 17 year-old is a player with a level of ability well above his age is obvious as that is simply a compulsory prerequisite if you are to stand a chance of gaining first-team action at Chelsea as an academy graduate. It is therefore the mental aspects of the game that make Ampadu standout as being special, just as we have seen to an even more superior degree with Andreas Christensen in the same position for the majority of the current Premier League season. With a loan still likely to come at some stage, Chelsea will be hopeful that Ampadu can follow in Christensen’s footsteps and grow to become as strong as the Dane.

The advantage Ampadu has had during his short career thus far is the chances he has been given by Antonio Conte. As has become the norm at Stamford Bridge due to high expectations, Conte has perhaps shied away from giving youth players a chance in certain situations, but Ampadu is a player that has already been given a Premier League debut this season as well as being handed Carabao Cup experience. Ironically, it is Chelsea’s loan philosophy that has actually opened the first team door for Ampadu, with several players of a more accomplished level than the Welshman such as Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Marco van Ginkel, Lewis Baker, Matt Miazga and Kurt Zouma all currently out on loan at various clubs.

Of course, as I have already mentioned, Ampadu’s performance was as much of a significant positive for Chelsea and Antonio Conte as it was for the player himself. The Blues will know that Conte now has a player who can not only provide sound cover to the current first team for the rest of this campaign, but matches such as these also act as fantastic advertisements for when Ampadu’s time to go on loan also inevitably arrives.

Ampadu’s display against Bournemouth was of an incredible maturity given his very young age and suggests he has as much, if not more, potential than the likes of Tammy Abraham and Ruben Loftus-Cheek who are currently tipped as Chelsea’s hottest prospects and have each made their senior England debuts in recent months. Ampadu has already made his debut for the Wales international side – an unbelievable achievement at the age of 17 – and is perhaps also at an advantage because of the time he has already spent playing at a senior level in League Two with Exeter City.

Familiarity with first-team football would certainly explain Ampadu’s confidence and assured style of play at Stamford Bridge this week. Following the game, Conte has admitted he feels “he can count” on the youngster – a huge compliment for a 17 year-old which will only boost that confidence more. Regardless of what happens throughout the rest of this campaign, it is almost guaranteed that Ampadu will enjoy a career at the very top level. Chelsea have yet another star in their ranks, the only question now is whether or not Ampadu is so good that he can buck the relentless trend at the club and become a regular starter in SW6 while still a teenager. Chelsea fans will be checking the team sheets for Ampadu’s name in the hopes of witnessing the youngster’s progress again.