After moving to RB Leipzig on a season-long loan deal, Ethan Ampadu has had a tough time as he is yet to make a single appearance in the Bundesliga this season. The Leipzig head coach Julian Nagelsmann, who is known for his proficiency in developing young players, hasn’t used him at all, even with key central defender Dayot Upamecano out injured.
In this article, we will discuss whether or not Chelsea should recall Ampadu back to Stamford Bridge, following his struggles in Germany.
Why has Ampadu struggled with game-time at Leipzig?
The main reason behind Ampadu’s lack of game-time at Leipzig is that the Roten Bullen have quite a balanced and well-identified defensive department. They notably conceded fewer goals than any other team in the league last season.
This season, after five matches, Leipzig still have the best defensive record, conceding only three goals. The defensive combination between Willi Orban and Ibrahima Konate has worked well, and Nagelsmann has no reasons to change it.
On the contrary, the young coach was boosted with the return of Upamecano. The Frenchman has replaced Nordi Mukiele, who was, in fact, a right-back. That means Ampadu will have to compete with both Mukiele and Upamecano in order to get some first-team opportunities.
Does Chelsea really need Ampadu?
Chelsea does not necessarily require another defender at the moment, even though Antonio Rudiger has struggled with a lot of injuries, of late. However, Ampadu’s return is always a welcome as the youngster can not only be an ideal backup for the likes of Kurt Zouma and Andreas Christensen but can also feature as a defensive midfielder as well.
Jorginho is currently the only reliable option in the number six slot, following the departure of Tiemoue Bakayoko. And Chelsea’s dearth of options in the defensive midfield department means recalling Ampadu might not be a bad idea.
The fact that the Blues won’t be able to sign any new players until next summer means that they can benefit from having Ampadu around at Stamford Bridge. So having as many options as they can perhaps be the wiser decision.
Besides, Ampadu is already struggling with game-time at Leipzig. He will likely receive relatively more playing time at Chelsea, meaning it could be a beneficial move for the player as well. Hence, the Blues should consider recalling Ampadu from Leipzig this season.
