Chelsea supporters are eager to see more of Ethan Ampadu this season.
The 17-year-old impressed for Wales during the international break, starring in the 4-1 win over the Republic of Ireland.
And with his versatility – Ampadu can play in defence and in midfield – Blues supporters want Maurizio Sarri to hand the teenager more first-team experience.
With Chelsea now competing on four fronts, including the gruelling Europa League, there’s certainly a role for him this season.
Ampadu has made an instant impact at Stamford Bridge following his arrival in 2017.
He joined from Exeter City in July and made his debut just two months later, replacing Cesc Fabregas in an EFL Cup tie against Nottingham Forest.
But if things had turned out differently, Ampadu would be wearing Manchester United red instead of Chelsea blue.
FERGIE WATCHED AMPADU
Back in 2013, Ampadu travelled to United for a junior tournament with Exeter’s Under-13s.
Former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson was in attendance – and he was very impressed by what he saw.
According to the Manchester Evening News, Ampadu left such an impression on Ferguson that the Scot asked United’s then-chief executive David Gill to sign the youngster.
Ferguson considered Ampadu a ‘proper United player’ after watching him, but the transitional stage that Man United went through in the summer of 2013 meant Ampadu wasn’t signed.
Ferguson and Gill both left the club, with David Moyes and Ed Woodward presiding over the transfer window.
According to Exeter’s former academy coach Simon Hayward, Ampadu played brilliantly in front of Ferguson.
“There were trialists from all over Europe,” Hayward said earlier this year.
“Ethan played as a central defender, a central midfielder and a centre forward at different times in the game and, in my opinion, he was the best player on the pitch no matter what position he played in.”
There is an awful lot of talent in United’s academy at the moment but they will still be disappointed that Ampadu slipped through the net.