Leeds star Ampadu ‘settled’ after finally ending his six-year spell at Chelsea
ETHAN AMPADU has no regrets over his six-year spell at Chelsea.
The Wales midfielder, 22, finally left Stamford Bridge this summer despite just 12 first-team appearances since his initial £850,000 move from Exeter in 2017.
Ampadu never got a look-in at the Blues and instead was farmed out on loan for four of those years to RB Leipzig, Sheffield United, Venezia and Spezia.
He knew that was not going to change under new Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino.
And it was little surprise that although he was Chelsea’s longest-serving player for a couple of weeks, he joined Leeds in a £7m move in July.
Ampadu said: “I don’t think I can ever look back and wish I did something else.
“I’m in this position because of what I have done. I have been grateful for every loan move I had and all the opportunities I got at Chelsea.
“It’s made me the player and person I am today. If you want to stay then you voice that opinion but I felt it was the right time to leave.
“I’ve enjoyed the step I’ve taken and I’m excited to see what comes from it.
“I have still got a lot of things to do. I’ve put a lot into my career in a short space of time but I still feel that I can do and achieve a lot more. That starts here.”
Ampadu is enjoying his football after playing every minute of the first seven games under new Leeds boss Daniel Farke this season.
The versatile Welshman has starred at centre-back or midfield during his 44 international caps.
And he says he is glad to have found a home in the Championship after spells in the Premier League, Bundesliga and Serie A.
Leeds have had a tradition of top-class holding midfielders in Billy Bremmer, David Batty and Kalvin Phillips and Ampadu wants to cement his spot in folklore during his four-year stay in Yorkshire.
Ampadu, preparing for tomorrow’s friendly against South Korea and the must-win Euro 2024 qualifier in Latvia next Monday, added: “I’m enjoying being settled.
“I gave my all in each of the loans and I was focused on developing and becoming a better player.
“But maybe in the back of your mind when you know you are settled somewhere and you’re not on loan, there are little things you can improve on.
“If you are playing in one position, you can work on the finer little details within that position to take you to the next level.
“If you’d asked me this last year, I probably would have said centre-back because that’s where I was playing.
“But that was before I joined Leeds and hearing what Farke wants me to play like, his style of play, that’s what attracted me and the reason I went there so I’m enjoying the role I’m playing.
“And with the history of the club, we know on the outside where everyone wants us to be.
“You feel the history and the pressure of the club but it’s exciting knowing what you can achieve.
“Everyone wants to achieve promotion and win things.”