Giggs poised to seal Ampadu with competitive Wales debut

WHILE the FAI are left dangling by Declan Rice, there will be no such equivocation by Ethan Ampadu about his allegiance if he’s called into action for Wales tomorrow night.

International football, as we’ve seen in recent years, is developing into a transfer market for dual-eligible players and the special efforts Wales exerted in obtaining the commitment of a special player could be fully rewarded right in front of another suitor.

The 17-year-old midfielder (below), who became the first player born in the 2000s to feature in the Chelsea first team last season, qualifies for Ireland through his Dublin-born grandmother.

It is hardly surprising that his father Kwame calls Ireland home, having been raised in Portland Place. Though christened Patrick, he was always known by his grandfather’s first name and retains his Dublin accent.

Like his son has done, he gravitated to elite sport, sufficiently excelling in football at local club Belvedere to be recruited by Arsenal. His first-team debut in 1990 came in a side defending their top-flight title.

Kwame enjoyed a long career over 18 years, eventually progressing into coaching, ending up back at Arsenal on academy staff.

In the meantime, Ethan is mapping out his own career, becoming Exeter City’s youngest player for 87 years when appearing in League Two at the age of 15. The teen was content to learn his trade at the local club, yet his international status was less certain.

As England manager Gareth Southgate dropped in last week amid the debate over Rice, Ampadu represented both England and Wales during the same summer.

Ireland were also hovering. Still, their then U-16 manager Tom O’Connor knew they were facing an uphill battle.

“We are aware of Ethan’s ability and his eligibility to represent us,” O’Connor told this newspaper in February 2015. “He is certainly a player we are interested in. It’s early days yet but we’ve made enquiries through Kwame.”

That seemed the most appropriate route to pursue what was a delicate matter. Only the charm offensive from Wales, the country of his mother’s birth, went into overdrive. Ethan was still 15 when Chris Coleman invited him to train with the senior squad in the build-up to the memorable European Championship tournament in 2016.

Last November, he won his first pair of senior caps in friendlies against France and Panama. Tomorrow night, Ryan Giggs may well rub O’Neill’s nose in it by nailing him down permanently. Ampadu spoke for the first time about his international dilemma recently. He had just come off the Lansdowne Road pitch after figuring for Chelsea in a pre-season friendly against Arsenal. It is apparent that his father, who was back in his home town with his agent Liam Brady to watch the match, took a hands-off approach in this situation.

“I was well aware of my Dad’s history with Ireland but all he wants for me is to enjoy my football,” said the teen, as one of the club’s fleet of press officers listened to his every word.

“For me, I was always straightforward when sticking with Wales. They made me feel very welcome from the start and I’ve enjoyed working with their staff.”

One of those staff from the outset was Ian Rush. The former Liverpool striker was tasked with co-ordinating and harnessing the development of stellar talent and the fact Giggs has 10 players in his panel under the age of 23 indicates the leg work was worth it.

David Brooks, a €14m signing by Bournemouth, is another gem to have settled on Wales in the face of interest from his homeland of England.