'The best move for his development' - Ethan Ampadu backed to be Serie A hit after Chelsea loan switch

Wales manager Rob Page has backed Ethan Ampadu to succeed after his season-long loan move from Chelsea to Venezia.

The 20-year-old completed a deadline day move to the Serie A newcomers from Thomas Tuchel’s side while on international duty.

Ampadu was set to sit on the fringes at the Stamford Bridge club but the Blues’ pursuit of Atletico Madrid midfielder Saúl Ñíguez paved the way for the Welsh midfielder to play his football abroad once more.

Yet to break into the Chelsea squad, Ampadu spent last season at Sheffield United, making 29 appearances for the Blades as they were relegated from the Premier League.

Prior to that, he had an unsuccessful loan spell at RB Leipzig, where he was limited to just seven appearances.

But with Venezia playing their first top-flight season in 1 -years, they have looked to Ampadu to help meet their objectives of survival.

“I think it’s another great experience for him, it will be another league for him to play in,” said Page, Ampadu’s national team boss.

“He’s a talented player that needs to go out and play games.

“He’s at a fantastic football club at Chelsea but there is no point in him staying there and playing Under-23s football in my opinion.

“He has done the hard yards before, he has proven it. He has gone out and played EFL and then Premier League football. This is the next best move for him for his development.”

Ampadu wasn’t the only member of Page’s 26-man squad to move on the last day of the transfer window.

Moving across the Pennines from Manchester to Leeds was Daniel James with the Yorkshire side coughing up a reported £25m for the pacey winger.

The 23-year-old was allowed to leave camp and formalise the move to Elland Road, in doing so missing the goalless draw with Finland.

Asked whether he speaks with players on their moves, Page said: “Yes, especially with Ethan on this one. It was deadline day and there was a lot going on in his head and he had a couple of other options.

“It was a difficult time for him and Dan James. I sat down with both players, had discussions about it. I was there as somebody to listen to and give advice to them.

“Ultimately it has to be right for them, they are the ones who make the final decision. It has to be right for them and I think both made the right move.”