Lampard wants Ampadu to go on loan and play ‘a lot of games’

After a season largely wasted on the fringes of the first-team, playing even fewer minutes than the previous season under Conte when he was just 17, Chelsea teenager Ethan Ampadu is in great need of more consistent playing time.

That is precisely the thinking behind Chelsea’s intention to send the player on a season-long loan somewhere, as confirmed by head coach Frank Lampard in today’s press conference in Japan.

Ampadu has not joined the team on the preseason tour of Japan, which had led to some speculation that he was injured. As it turns out, it was an active choice to leave him in London instead, with a view towards securing a loan move.

The 18-year-old was already in demand last season. Lampard himself wanted to sign him at Derby, as did Neil Warnock at Cardiff City. He instead stayed at Chelsea, for better or worse.

A Championship loan does sound like a good fit, so hopefully something good can be worked out.