Ethan Ampadu outlines summer plan to impress Thomas Tuchel and fulfil career dream with Chelsea

Ethan Ampadu smiles as the question is asked. It’s one posed to him previously and one he has been unable to answer. It is no different this time around as the 21-year-old attempts to earn a place in the Chelsea squad for the 2022/23 campaign.

“I hoped that by now I’d have found out the answer,” he replies when asked which position on the pitch he considers his favourite. "But I’m not sure yet. I just enjoy playing football to be honest.”

Ampadu has done a lot of that over the past two years, albeit with clubs battling at the wrong end of the table. In 2020/21, the Wales international racked up 2,451 minutes in a Sheffield United side that went down without too much fight from the Premier League.

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Then followed a season in Italy with Venezia – and Ampadu’s time in Serie A went somewhat under the radar. He played 30 games in all competitions and in a variety of positions: centre-back, wing-back and indefensive midfield.

That he performed each role with assuredness and quality is a testament to Ampadu’s natural ability and maturity, something which was evident when he broke into the first-team squad at Stamford Bridge as a dreadlocked 17-year-old under Antonio Conte.

The years since have not always easy but Ampadu hasn’t given up nor has he lost hope. For now, he is focused on his journey and not his final destination. “Like every footballer out there, my dream is to be at the top,” he says in the bowels Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.

“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. I just have to keep improving, keep putting my head down, fight