The biggest piece of Chelsea news emerging today relates to the future of Ethan Ampadu.
Our 18-year-old midfielder has put pen-to-paper on a new five-year contract at the club, a fact confirmed by the BBC. Although Ampadu hasn’t made an appearance for Chelsea this season, he has played for Wales in the recent international break and received the man-of-the-match accolade.
The youngster has also been noticed by Colin Warnock, Click Here, with Warnock keen to take the teenager on loan come the opening of the January transfer window.
But, does signing a five-year deal signify that Ampadu has a future at Stamford Bridge?
So far, the teenager has played just once for Chelsea in the Premier League and has made a total of seven appearances for the club.
Clearly, Ampadu is a work in progress.
However, his versatility could do him a favour, able to play in midfield or defence, you get the feeling that he could be the one to make that breakthrough where so many others have failed.
A five-year deal, for someone so young, is unusual.
Ask yourselves how many of the 40+ players out on loan are tied to such a long contract.
I’d struggle to name one.
Ampadu, if fit, will, I believe, play in the Chelsea team that takes on PAOK in the Europa League, this Thursday, it could be the first of many appearances in competitions other than the Premier League.
Unfortunately, when it comes to a berth in the starting eleven for the Premier League, the opposition is stiff Sarri has his referred eleven and there is a wealth of talent on the bench.
A loan move, possibly to Cardiff, could occur this January, as it is game-time Ethan needs.
Perhaps regular action elsewhere could see the teenager pushed t the forefront of Sarri’s thoughts when it comes to next season.
However, it’d be churlish not to congratulate Ethan on his new deal, well done young man.