Wales starlet Ethan Ampadu may only be 17, but he has said he wants a place in Chelsea's first team.
The international stage has allowed the teenager to shine, and on Thursday he caught the eye as Ryan Giggs’ side started their Nations League campaign by dismantling the Republic of Ireland.
He has featured seven times for Chelsea’s first team, all last season under Antonio Conte and had it not been for a fractured ankle in the spring he may well have played more.
New manager Maurizio Sarri has yet to give him a look in, but Ampadu is confident that he will be able to force himself a chance, despite a myriad of stars vying for game time in the heart of the park at Stamford Bridge.
“You could say there's been frustration on one hand, but at the same time I'm getting experience training with the players,” he said.
“I'm just trying to improve to get into the team. This season's plans are this season's plans and at the moment I've just to keep improving to try and get in the team.
“I want to show the manager what I can do.”
Ampadu had been eligible to play for England, Ghana or Ireland prior to Thursday’s fixture, having featured only in friendlies previously, but the competitive nature of that match has ended any doubts as to where his allegiances lie.
“There was talk [about my future], but I've always been thinking about Wales,” he said.
“As you could see here I really enjoy playing for Wales, the atmosphere, and everything around it.
“I've always felt part of the set-up and the senior players and staff have helped that.
“The older, more experienced players definitely help us settle in, and that gives us more confidence to go out on the pitch and express ourselves.”
On Sunday, Ampadu and his Wales team-mates will tackle Denmark in the Nations League in Aarhus.
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