According to Goal, Ethan Ampadu ‘will be allowed to leave’ Chelsea on loan. It’s good news for Aston Villa, as Dean Smith was interested in the Welsh international and has been keen to bring him to Villa Park in January.
The Midlands outfit are short of centre-backs, having only James Chester and Axel Tuanzebe for options because Tommy Elphick was loaned out to Hull City back in August, so a central defender is expected to be recruited in the winter transfer window.
Derby County will provide competition for Ampadu’s signature, however, with Frank Lampard looking to sign the 18-year-old. But Villa have a secret weapon in John Terry who could be key to convincing the defender to sign on the dotted line.
Ampadu, who has made seven appearances for Chelsea in all competitions, is a big fan of the Villa assistant manager who he’s trained with at Stamford Bridge, so he could develop well under Terry’s tutelage. It’s a deal that could suit all parties, but there won’t be much movement until January.
Villa are in better form of late, having won back-to-back games in the Championship and boasting three wins from five. They currently sit 11th in the table with 24 points from 17 games this season and could be even stronger when they address their lack of depth at the back.
