Ethan Ampadu aiming to ‘do a Trevoh Chalobah’ and force his way into Chelsea XI after surviving loan transfer cull
ETHAN AMPADU is aiming to emulate Chelsea team-mate Trevoh Chalobah and break into the first-team after a series of loan spells.
The Wales international, 21, has been loaned out by Chelsea three times since joining the club from Exeter in 2017.
He managed just seven appearances with German side RB Leipzig in the 2019/20 season, 29 with Sheffield United in their relegation season of 2020/21 and 30 with Italian side Venezia last term.
But Ampadu is looking to add to his 12 Chelsea first-team appearances this season and wants to follow in the footsteps of team-mate Chalobah.
Chalobah took his chance during pre-season last summer and impressed boss Thomas Tuchel following a successful loan spell in France with Lorient.
The midfielder, who can also play at centre-back, went on to make 31 appearances across all competitions for the Blues.
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Ampadu said: “Of course [I want to emulate Chalobah] but it’s not just me as there are a few of us with that same mindset that want to break through.
“We’re out here now and it’s our chance to show it. Like every footballer out there, my dream is to be at the top.
“I don’t think that’s a bad thing to say and dream; everyone wants to be at the top. It’s about fighting and getting towards that.
“I just want to keep improving, keep putting my head down, fighting and working every day.
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“That starts in pre-season to try to get the chance. It’s hard to say because I am not at the top, I’m not playing week in, week out for a team trying to win the Premier League and Champions League.
“So until you get to that point – and once you get there you have to maintain – but it’s about getting there.
“This club fights for everything: Champions League, Premier League. It’s all about fighting here and trying to get to the top.”
Ampadu has featured a number of times for Chelsea this pre-season.
Chelsea kick-start their Premier League campaign against Everton on August 6.