Chelsea youngster Ethan Ampadu has joined Bundesliga outfit RB Leipzig on a season-long loan deal. The Wales international is highly-rated at Stamford Bridge and has made 12 appearances across all competitions since joining from Exeter two years ago.
The 18-year-old certainly appears to be part of the long-term thinking at Chelsea as he put pen to paper on a new five-year contract last September. New Blues boss Frank Lampard is a big fan of Ampadu, admitting he tried to sign the teenager on loan while he was in charge of Derby last season.
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However, Lampard also feels, given the quality within Chelsea’s squad, the starlet will benefit from a loan in the Bundesliga, as he will also get the opportunity to play Champions League football during his time at Leipzig.
Lampard said: “I tried to sign Ethan on loan at Derby last year so I’m a big fan, but with the minutes he played last year, in the interest of Ethan and of Chelsea, the idea he can play a lot of games somewhere could be good for him. “I really wanted to work with Ethan this year. That’s a slight disappointment, but it’s to benefit of him. In midfield and defence we have a lot of quality, so each player is a case by case.”
