On-loan Chelsea defender earns praise from Wales stand-in boss Page

BY MAX HALL

The versatility demonstrated this season by on-loan Chelsea defender Ethan Ampadu has been praised by Wales caretaker manager Rob Page ahead of tomorrow night’s opening World Cup qualifier in Belgium.

“The thing is with Ethan, he’s played everywhere along the back three,” said Page in Cardiff this afternoon.

“I’ve seen him this season, at Sheffield United, and he’s played on the right, in the centre and on the left of the back three. He’s played in all those positions for them.”

The Chelsea player, who is on a season-long loan with the relegation-haunted Blades, has also featured as a holding midfielder for his national team.

Page, standing in again for Wales boss Ryan Giggs, lauded Ampadu’s versatility.

“He’s got a lot of strings to his bow and he can play in a multitude of positions. It’s great to have players like that in the squad.”

With Charlton full-back Chris Gunter on 99 caps for his country and Crystal Palace goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey back in the fold after injury, Page also paid tribute to the senior players in his squad, stressing their importance after Tottenham’s Ben Davies and former Charlton stopper Tom Lockyer pulled out with injury today.

“It’s not only Balo [Gareth Bale], as the captain,” said Page of the importance of experience in his squad. “It’s Wardy [goalkeeper Danny Ward], Guntz [Gunter], Joe Allen; all those players will help the younger ones.”

The caretaker boss added: “When you see them all together, it’s a great atmosphere.”