Chelsea's forgotten man who Thomas Tuchel could choose as his next Trevoh Chalobah
When you have more than 20 players out on loan it's no doubt a little difficult to keep track of each player, yet that is the task Chelsea are faced with and have the resources to do so.
The Blues have been known to have in excess of 30 players on loan in the past, all across Europe and the system has benefitted the likes of Mason Mount, Reece James and Trevoh Chalobah, who have all starred in Chelsea's first team this season.
With the emergence of Conor Gallagher, Billy Gilmour and Armando Broja through their performances in the Premier League it can be easy to forget those who departed for further afield.
Ethan Ampadu has spent the season at Serie A strugglers Venezia, having joined on loan on transfer deadline day in August, while also signing a new three-year contract at Chelsea.
The Italian side had just been promoted to Serie A and while tipped for relegation, Ampadu has played a pivotal role in keeping the Venetians in the battle for survival.
The Welshman starred as they upset Torino at the weekend, and the side have also earned a draw against Juventus and beaten Jose Mourinho's Roma side this term.
Speaking while on international duty in November, Ampadu noted Chelsea had maintained their interest in his progress but he was uncertain where the summer would lead him.
He said: "They’re always watching the games and giving you feedback. Someone has even managed to come out and watch a game.
“You still get all the feedback because at the end of the day you’re still a Chelsea player even though my focus is on Venice. Everyone wants you to develop and be a better player so you have that help as well.
"My focus is on doing as well as I can with Venezia and seeing where that takes me this summer.”
Ahead of his departure in August, there was the suggestion that Ampadu would not be allowed to leave Stamford Bridge for the season with his versatile qualities.
Neverthless, 21-year-old Ampadu went on his third loan and has more than proved his abilities over the course of the season.
The Exeter academy product has featured as a defensive midfielder predominantly, but also at right back and in the heart of defence this season, while he operated in the centre of a back three for Sheffield United in the previous season.
While he has had a tendency to acquire too many yellow cards this term, nine, they have become less frequent and, after being eased into the side in September, Ampadu all but one game he has been available for.
It's difficult not to see the parallels with Chelsea's breakout star of 2021/22 in Trevoh Chalobah.
The Blues defender completed loans at three clubs in Ipswich, Huddersfield Town and Lorient before earning his way into Tuchel's plans through impressive pre-season performances culminating in an opportunity against Villarreal in the UEFA Super Cup.
Chalobah's time with the Tractor Boys saw him relegated from the Championship before narrowly avoiding relegation from the competition with the Terriers, and likewise, avoiding relegation from Ligue 1.
"I think this has been my best step because it's helped me grow as a player - physically and mentally as well," Chalobah explained to the Ligue 1 Show in April 2021.
"Obviously moving away from family, friends, things that you're not used to, it's difficult, but I think when you go there and just focus on football it's much easier.
"Obviously, coming from the Championship, it's a lot just a fight, and there are a lot of strong teams. But here you have got a mixture of everything: one v ones, talented players, goalscorers as well. Obviously it's known as one of the top five leagues in the world."
Ampadu's trajectory has not been too dissimilar, and has been provided a similar opportunity.
Having spent time around Chelsea's squad under Maurizio Sarri and featuring in the Europa League, the youngster first had a difficult loan at RB Leipzig. He featured only seven times for the German side in 2018/19 before being relegated with Sheffield United the following season and then joining Venezia.
Ampadu's development will have been aided by earning 31 caps for Wales, but his presence at EURO 2020 last summer may have cost him. While his trajectory is a year behind Chalobah, he could have been a direct competitor given the similar roles the duo are qualified in.
However, while Ampadu was hoping to lead the Dragons to European glory, Chalobah was able to work in a small group at Cobham for Tuchel's first pre-season, and turn the German coach's head.
That chance could arrive once again for Ampadu, with no international tournament to limit his prospects.
