CHELSEA’S Ethan Ampadu has suffered the pain of relegation FOUR times at just the age of 22.
But the versatile Wales star has been backed to bounce back stronger – whether he remains in Mauricio Pochettino’s Stamford Bridge plans or not this summer.
Ampadu has experienced the drop in three successive club seasons.
His first relegation came on loan at Sheffield United in the Premier League before the same fate happened at Venezia and Spezia in Serie A.
The 44-cap Welshman was also part of the side which were relegated from League A of the Nations League last September.
Chelsea have set a £12million asking price on in-demand Ampadu, who has also played for RB Leipzig in the Bundesliga.
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On top of that, he has represented his country at both a Euros and World Cup finals in an already colourful career.
Ampadu, who can play at centre-back or central midfield, has one more year left on his contract at Stamford Bridge but there is interest from Prem clubs, Italy and Spain.
Wales manager Robert Page said: “Of course, the relegations will have hurt him personally.
“Ultimately, it will make him a better person and player.
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“This is about Ethan’s development. I have nothing but respect for him for the challenges that he has faced over the last couple of years.
“He has chosen to experience different leagues in world football. I’ve nothing but respect for him for that.”
Ampadu, who turns 23 in September, joined Chelsea from Exeter in a £2.5million deal in 2017.
But he has only made 12 first-team appearances for the Blues with his last outing coming against Malmo in the Europa League back in February 2019 before his loan spells away from the club.
Ampadu is the son of ex-Arsenal, Swansea and Exeter midfielder Kwame, who is now assistant manager at Columbus Crew in the MLS.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
