Ethan Ampadu of Chelsea trains before the UEFA Europa League final. (Photo by Francois Nel/Getty Images)
According to the Football Insider (h/t Football.London), Championship side Middlesbrough are plotting a move to sign young Chelsea defender and midfielder Ethan Ampadu before the deadline of this transfer window.
Boro manager Chris Wilder is keen on adding a defensive midfielder to his squad, and Ampadu, who can play as a centre-back and as a defensive midfielder, could be a great option.
The Exeter City youth product, who is an established Wales international now, is focused on getting more game time in order to be in the best possible shape for the upcoming World Cup in Qatar in November.
The 21-year-old has had quite a few loan moves since moving to Chelsea in 2017. He has played for German side RB Leipzig, Italian side Venezia FC and English side Sheffield United, when they were in the Premier League.
As much as he is a quality young player, Ampadu’s versatility can be of great use to any team. Last season, playing 29 league games for Venezia, he was deployed in every position across the defence and also in defensive midfield.
He was a part of Chelsea’s touring party to the United States for the pre-season and played some games too. However, he has had only one bench appearance in the Premier League game so far this season, with no first-team minutes.
So, this move involving the 21-year-old’s potential path to Middlesbrough, suits all parties. Chelsea and Thomas Tuchel do not have him in their long-term plans, meaning there won’t be much game time on offer for him at Stamford Bridge.
The player wants to play games and needs to be match fit for the upcoming World Cup. Hence, for him to move to Boro would be good for playing and staying in rhythm.
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