Chelsea loanee Ethan Ampadu insists he has a lot to prove in his stint away from Stamford Bridge this season with the young defender earning plaudits for his displays in Italy.
The Wales international made the move to Serie A new boys Venezia in the summer transfer window with Chelsea keen on the 21-year-old getting valuable game time under his belt.
Speaking to BBC Sport, Ampadu admitted he was enjoying his new surroundings and the move has turned out to be beneficial for him as a player.
“It’s good, I’m enjoying it out there. We’ve had our ups and downs football-wise but the lifestyle is good,” he said of life in Venice.
“This felt like the right step to take. It was also a good move to try a different way of life and learning different things.
“The pasta out there is pretty good, so I’ve been enjoying that.”
“Obviously I want to be the best I can be after this loan, wherever that is.”
“But you can’t get to that point without focusing on the present.
“My focus is on doing as well as I can with Venezia and seeing where that takes me this summer.”
Ampadu’s return to the Stamford Bridge fold next summer could be a chance for him to secure a first-team berth with Thomas Tuchel set to lose his star defensive name in Antonio Rudiger who is seeking a move elsewhere.
La Liga giants Real Madrid remain the frontrunners to land the Germany international centre-back on a free transfer with Carlo Ancelotti’s side keeping close tabs on his fast escalating situation.
