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Chelsea could save £70m with centre-back ready to shun loan and fight for starting place
Chelsea youngster Ethan Ampadu is ready to turn down a loan move and fight for a place in the senior squad next season.
Chelsea: Ampadu discusses position as a central defender
Ethan Ampadu is reportedly prepared to fight for a starting berth in Frank Lampard's Chelsea squad next season, shunning a potential loan move away from Stamford Bridge. The Welshman's decision could alleviate the need for the Blues to sign a new centre-back, saving the club millions in the transfer market.
Ampadu has spent the past season on loan at RB Leipzig, developing under the tutelage of highly-rated manager Julian Nagelsmann.
The 19-year-old only made seven appearances for the senior side this season due to injuries but was trusted in the Champions League win over Tottenham in February, and Frank Lampard is thought to be a fan.
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Ampadu has now returned to Chelsea and is supposedly said to be determined to fight for his place in the starting XI, encouraged by the Blues' recent centre-back woes.
Goal claim the youngster is keen to try and impress Lampard in pre-season, meaning any loan moves are being put on hold.
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Ampadu had already agreed to join Leipzig before the current Chelsea boss took the reins at Stamford Bridge last year, so this summer will be the first chance for the pair to work together.
And the versatile defender, who can also play in central midfield, will fancy his chances of claiming a first-team spot.
Chelsea had the worst defensive record in the top half of the Premier League and were particularly vulnerable from set-pieces.
Antonio Rudiger, Andreas Christensen, Kurt Zouma and Fikayo Tomori all failed to nail down a guaranteed starting berth and the latter has been linked with a loan move to Rennes.
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Ampadu could therefore come in as the Blues' fourth centre-back and will potentially save the club millions, if he can establish himself in the starting XI.
Chelsea are in the midst of a squad overhaul and are expected to invest heavily in several different departments.
Deals for Hakim Ziyech and Timo Werner have already been secured while club director Marina Granovskaia is believed to be in negotiations with Bayer Leverkusen over a transfer fee for Kai Havertz.
Ben Chilwell is also a priority while it has been reported that the Blues are targeting Declan Rice to play at centre-back.
The 21-year-old came through the Chelsea academy as a centre-back before establishing himself as a midfielder at West Ham.
Lampard is keen to convert Rice back into a defender but the Hammers want £70million for the England international.
There is also said to be interest from Chelsea in £40m-rated Lewis Dunk but the Blues could instead pocket that cash if Ampadu can demonstrate he is a long-term option for Lampard at the heart of defence.
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