Giggs hails ‘future leader’ Ethan Ampadu’s ‘mature performance’ for Wales

After two years spent on the fringes of the first team, Ethan Ampadu, who's still only just 18 years old, chose an attractive yet challenging loan to RB Leipzig. So far, it's proving exactly that, with Ampadu yet to feature for the Bundesliga outfit.

But no such concerns have presented themselves as far as his national team chances are concerned. Ampadu has already featured in 9 games for Wales and his latest performance in the 2-1 Euro 2020 qualifiers win against Azerbaijan was just the latest impressive outing.

Wales head coach Ryan Giggs was equally impressed, pointing out Ampadu's on-pitch leadership at such a young age.

“He’s hardly played in seven or eight months and puts in a mature performance like that. It’s best how to manage Ethan. It’s very tough for him to get through ninety minutes. It’s the fittest he’s been for a long time.

“He’s a future leader and it’s great to see him get minutes on the pitch. It’s my hope that he’ll get more games and he’ll get better.”

- Ryan Giggs; source: Football.London

Ampadu’s journey at Leipzig hasn’t yet kicked off as expected, with a recent injury also slowing his path towards the first team, but he surely has the talent and mindset to win his place sooner rather than later.