OPINION
Aston Villa’s defence has been a major issue for the club this season, with a massive 23 goals conceded in 16 Championship games.
It’s no surprise, then, to see the Birmingham Mail report that the club are looking to bring in Chelsea defender Ethan Ampadu on loan in January.
The newspaper reports that Dean Smith’s side are battling it out with Championship rivals Derby County for the 18-year-old.
It is vital that the Villans do not allow Ampadu to get away from them. Villa have struggled defensively at times this campaign and Ampadu’s versatility would be key in rectifying that situation.
Mile Jedinak was forced to play at centre back earlier in the season, showing that there is a need for another defender at Villa Park. Derby have a settled backline and as such do not need the youngster as much as Villa do, although the Rams did attempt to bring in Ampadu in the summer.
The Birmingham Mail’s report claims that Frank Lampard attempted to sign the Welsh international on a temporary basis, but that Blues boss Maurizio Sarri rejected the proposal because he wanted to oversee the teenager’s development.
Villa are also said to have made an approach for Ampadu in the summer but were given the same answer. Villans assistant boss John Terry is thought to be a big fan of Ampadu from their time together at Chelsea.
So is former Wales international Craig Bellamy.
“For his age, he’s one of the best young players out there in his position,” Bellamy said, as quoted by the Birmingham Mail. “I’m always wary of how much you can promote a young player, but the difference I see with him, I see a great mentality, and I see a man.
This would be an excellent move for Villa. Ampadu has shown for Chelsea’s youth teams and more recently for Wales that he is a tremendous talent who is only going to get better as the years go by. The natural next step in his development would be a move away from Stamford Bridge on loan, and Villa would be an ideal destination for him.
Ampadu is a wonderful young talent, and this move would be hugely beneficial for all parties. The player would get regular first team football, while Villa would solve a problem position for them this term.
Derby’s mutual interest in the player complicates matters for Villa, of course. Lampard, like Terry, is a Chelsea legend so the Blues could be forced to choose between two former greats in regards to Ampadu. Villa have the greater need for the player which may tip the scales in their favour, but who knows where Ampadu ends up?
For Villa, though, they need to pull out all the stops to ensure that they – not Derby – bring in the talented Chelsea teenager in January.