Ethan Ampadu impressed for RB Leipzig on Wednesday night on the Champions League knockout stage – and some Chelsea fans on Twitter were left praising their loanee for his performance.
The Welsh enforcer has been loaned out to Leipzig for the season from Stamford Bridge and he got an opportunity to impress against Premier League opposition in midweek.
(Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)
Ampadu played 90 minutes in Leipzig’s 1-0 away win over Tottenham in a Champions League last-16 first leg.
The 19-year-old was one of the outstanding performers for the German team, who secured the win through a Timo Werner penalty and are now favourites to reach the quarter-finals.
Ampadu has not enjoyed regular minutes this season with Leipzig, which is what made his display against Spurs extremely special.
(Photo by Roland Krivec/DeFodi Images via Getty Images)
He featured in just his seventh appearance of the season and it was the first time he played a full game, which will explain the cramp late on.
The Blues loanee slotted into a centre-back role as part of a back three, which saw him put in some excellent defensive blocks and also show off his long-range of passing.
His quality on the ball means that he can play in midfield and previously has done in the Chelsea first-team, but looks like he may be a long-term option at centre-back.
(Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images)
There is serious competition in the Leipzig defence for a starting position, but there is no doubt that Ampadu hardly put a foot wrong with his big opportunity and has to be knocking on the door for more minutes.
A selection of Chelsea supporters on social media insist that Ampadu has a big future ahead of him in West London and were mesmerised by his European display.
Here are some Chelsea fans on Ampadu:
Can already see Jorginho gettin replaced by ampadu. Ethan can distribute and is a much better defender. Buzzing on him after watching his individual highlights
— CFC Blue Ultras (@CFCbluepride) February 20, 2020
Watched this game partly to see Ampadu. He put out these numbers as the center back in a back three, against a Premier League team. Hopes he gets more playing time with injuries to Leipzig’s defense. Future is bright. #cfc https://t.co/wMqK69CxnA
— Mohammud Shakeel Salamath (@ShakeelSalamath) February 20, 2020
Ampadu. Boy can play. #CFC
— Dennis Brumfield (@dmbiiwvu) February 20, 2020
Ethan Ampadu with a masterclass in the UCL. Can’t say i’m surprise. https://t.co/UzxYBw5qgU
— Andres🇨🇴 (@AndresCFC) February 19, 2020
Ampadu was superb today..
— Yung Kay..🇺🇸🇬🇭 (@kwamehighest) February 19, 2020
Ethan Ampadu really looked like a calm, level headed and mature CB today. If he wasn’t a Chelsea product then he’d get way more hype. He was rock solid. Needed at Chelsea over Rudiger and Zouma. Even as a DM is fine. I’ve seen the light.
— Bobby (@CFCRole) February 19, 2020
Ampadu’s first start in ages but yet still delivers a MOTM display. This kid is a special talent, future of Chelsea for many years especially if he keeps on improving. Smart, Composed, Good on the ball and a good defender too. Pretty much has everything you’d want in a DM/CB.
— CFCJames (@CFC_James_) February 19, 2020
Ampadu puts in that performance on limited game time against Tottenham in a UCL knockout game. Bring him back
— ‘ (@KanteCFC_) February 19, 2020