Despite a summer which saw Thibaut Courtois leave the club, Eden Hazard linked with a move away, Roman Abramovich blocked from entering the country and Maurizio Sarri brought into the club, Chelsea have made a fantastic start to the season.
The Blues are currently unbeaten in the league and have won five games out of five while playing a brand of football that must surely delight the Chelsea fans. Hazard looks like a man reborn under Sarri who’s brand of attacking possession-based, high-energy based football seems to have rejuvenated the side. The Italian manager has also reinstalled David Luiz at the back in tandem with Antonio Rudiger, indeed the Brazil international has already played five games this season in the league, half the amount he made last year.
Luiz seems to be a favourite of Sarri who has also praised youngster Callum Hudson-Odoi, Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Ethan Ampadu. A classy player with the ball at his feet, at just 18 Ampadu has already made his Wales debut and most recently signed a new long-term deal at the club. Capable of playing in midfield or in defence, Ampadu has the world at his feet and should be Luiz’s future replacement.
Breaking into Exeter’s first-team at the age of 15, Ampadu was quickly snapped up by Chelsea. He was quickly drafted into the squad to make three first-team appearances in the EFL Cup in his first season with Chelsea and such were his impressive performances that he became the club’s second youngest ever player to play in the Premier League when he came off the bench against Huddersfield Town last December. Still yet to make a first-team appearance this year, Ampadu is highly thought of by Sarri who insisted that the youngster is the future of Chelsea.
Much like Luiz, Ampadu is good with the ball, capable of playing in defence and in midfield but in truth, the Chelsea fans will hope that the Wales international will turn out to be a much better player than the former PSG man. So far in his career, it looks like he might just turn out to be.
In his debut for Wales, the midfielder played like a 10-year veteran like he has done for most of his career, he hasn’t looked out of place in any team. His all round game is exceptional as he can play a pass, receive the ball in tight spots but also reads the game incredibly well for someone of his age.
Although he hasn’t featured for Sarri this year, Ampadu will surely be given a chance over the next few months. Either for Jorginho or one of the central defenders, Ampadu has more than enough ability to step into the team. Despite being 18, Chelsea have a star on their hands and one that should be featuring for the first-team this year and should become a squad regular next season.
Chelsea fans…what do you think?
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