Making your full international debut at the mere age of 17 is a sign of a promising future for any young footballer. However, Ethan Ampadu is more than just a promising youngster, he has a wealth of talent, and Chelsea needs to ensure they help him realise that talent.
According to the Guardian, Aston Villa are among a number of clubs interested in taking Ampadu on loan for next season should Chelsea decide the Welshman will benefit from regular game time. Sending him on loan to a fellow Premier League club will only help Ampadu progress further. Sending him to a club like Aston Villa, where John Terry is the assistant manager, will help mould Ampadu into the centre-back Chelsea want him to be.
You only have to see the impact Dean Smith and Terry had on Tammy Abraham to see how crucial having a good mentor is when you’re on loan. Abraham scored 26 goals as Aston Villa reached the Championship play-off final and got promoted to the Premier League. While the Premier League will be a different kettle of fish for Ampadu, he will have the experienced Terry beside, who after four Premier League medals of his own, will definitely have pearls of wisdom for the £9 million-rated man.
Despite securing a winners medal in the Europa League this season, Ampadu wasted his season at Chelsea last year. The 18-year-old played one more game for Wales than he played for Chelsea in the 2018/2019 season. If he had been sent on loan to Aston Villa during their promotion campaign, it might have served both Ampadu and Chelsea better.
Ampadu remains a highly rated youngster, and at just the age of 18, he has the world at his feet. With Chelsea struggling in defence last season, conceding 56 goals in all competitions, Ampadu may get a regular starring role sooner than he anticipated. However, if he isn’t afforded that opportunity, Chelsea can ill-afford to keep him at the club next season. They need to send him out on loan to Aston Villa, where under the stewardship of Chelsea legend Terry, Ampadu could come on leaps and bounds.
