Depending on just how bold Antonio Conte wants to get with his selection tomorrow, he has given himself several new options by including not just the usual handful of youngsters in first-team training (Musonda, Kenedy, Scott, Clarke-Salter) but also calling up Ethan Ampadu and Dujon Sterling, both of whom missed Chelsea U23’s 2-2 draw with Manchester United on Monday as a result. Of course, just training with the team is no guarantee of any actual match involvement, and Ampadu has already trained with the seniors earlier this season, but it’s always nice to see the kids dip their toes in with the big boys.
Ampadu, a summer signing from Exeter City who was called up to the Wales national team earlier this month, also put pen to paper on his first professional contract after turning 17 last week and thus becoming eligible for it. This, like the occasional first-team training assignments, are standard practice for Chelsea youth, but congratulations are in order regardless.
#TeamPO’s Ethan Ampadu signs professional contract with Chelsea FC https://t.co/LddIw1qwFc pic.twitter.com/Pd2SjaUt0o
— Platinum One (@PlatinumOneUK) September 19, 2017
Here are Ampadu (hard to miss that hair!) and Sterling, and of course the rest of the Chelsea boys looking relaxed and ready for Nottingham Forest on Wednesday night.
PRE-FOREST TRAINING!Good spirits in training today!
Posted by Chelsea Football Club on Tuesday, September 19, 2017