Ethan Ampadu added a new twist to Chelsea’s January transfer window
By George Perry
Ethan Ampadu exceeded all expectations against Bournemouth in the Carabao Cup. While Antonio Conte cautions patience regarding Ampadu’s development, Ampadu’s precocious ability may make for an interesting January transfer window.
Chelsea’s fringe players knew the cup tie against Bournemouth would be a pivotal day in their season. Any player – particularly the young ones – who was not a regular in the Blues’ squad would have the opportunity two weeks before the January transfer window to make their final arguments. An outstanding performance could keep them at Stamford Bridge. A creditable, promising performance could land them a Premier League or Bundesliga loan. A shoddy performance could see them cast off to the nearest bidder, either temporarily or permanently.
Ethan Ampadu seemed immune to this filtering process given his extremely young age. Even Chelsea would not make an career-altering decisions based on a 17-year old’s second first-team start. But then Ampadu played 90 minutes at the level of a player at least four years older, i.e., Andreas Christensen. Other than the differences in size and speed, Ampadu did not look the junior member working between Gary Cahill and Antonio Rudiger.
Antonio Conte is not one to rush anyone into the squad or the lineup. Quite the frustrating opposite, in fact. After the game he reminded everyone Ampadu is still very much a developing teenager, subject to the normal development process.
"Now he has to stay calm. Maybe next game he goes to play for the youth team, I don’t know. This player is very humble. He could have a great future, but he has to continue in this way. – Chelsea FC"
Chelsea have four experienced, trusted centre-backs to rotate through the three places on the back-line: Gary Cahill, Cesar Azpilicueta, Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen. The first three can and have played in multiple positions on the back-line. This gives Conte tactical flexibility and the ability to rotate and rest his defenders.
Now that Ethan Ampadu has shown himself capable of playing against Premier League clubs in domestic cups, he could provide up to three days of rest for Chelsea’s top-line defenders in January: the two legs of the Carabao Cup semi-final and the FA Cup opener against Norwich City.
Chelsea also have a fifth experienced centre-back, but one who may or may not be trusted: David Luiz. Conte and Luiz had a row in November, and soon after Luiz developed a knee injury.
Last season, Antonio Conte had to swallow his pride and disgust when player power reared its head via Diego Costa. Conte did not trust Michy Batshuayi to be his starting striker. Starting Batshuayi in February or March could cost Chelsea the Premier League title. Conte had not yet turned to Eden Hazard as the false-nine. Chelsea had a solid product on the pitch that allowed Conte and the Blues to outperform expectations and become title contenders by the time Conte supposedly yelled “You can go to China!” to Costa at Cobham.
Diego Costa was as close to indispensable as a player could be. Antonio Conte was in a nightmare bind. Now, though, he is in another tiff with a player who – at best – is one of two back-ups. Luiz has none of the leverage Costa had, and Conte has even less tolerance for a training ground fracture than before.
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Rumours of a January transfer for Luiz started soon after the rift became public. Ampadu’s performance against Bournemouth crossed off one more reason Antonio Conte has to keep Luiz. If Conte was considering keeping Luiz in the squad only as depth via the domestic cups and a second back-up in case of injury, Ethan Ampadu relieves him of that obligation.
If Ampadu stays, he would at least be able to continue playing with the youth teams, occasionally training with the first team and coming back as necessary for the FA Cup XI and some Premier League matchday squads. Or Chelsea could arrange a transfer for Luiz or loan for Ampadu, let them provide rest to the top-line centre-backs in January’s domestic cup ties, then send one or both out on January 25. Either arrangement would be beneficial and agreeable to Ampadu, whereas David Luiz would be unlikely to see an upside.
The other unresolved matter is the compensation Chelsea owns Exeter City for Ethan Ampadu. After Wednesday’s performance the Grecians likely re-assessed their opening ask. The club even saw fit to post an announcement on their website updating fans on the status of a tribunal and indicating the influence the Carabao Cup tie will have. More performances like this before the tribunal will only add to the assigned compensation.
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The January transfer window was already going to be an active and important one for the Blues. Ethan Ampadu’s performance added another layer of excitement, perhaps intrigue.