INTERNATIONAL FRIENDLY UP

Wales and Chelsea excited about classy kid Ampadu but he was already a ‘thoroughbred’ at 14 according to Tisdale, the man who discovered him at Exeter City

play closely. He was a thoroughbred, even at 14.

“He started that game as a centre-midfield player, played a large part of it as a centre-forward and finished up sweeper.

“What stood out most was nothing clever or elaborate flash or sexy.

“It was a player who was 14 and physically could cope with it, which is a big starting point. But he was able to read the game and make decisions in an instant. He played like a professional player.”

Ampadu’s transfer fee has yet to be settled by a tribunal.

But even if Chelsea are hit with a huge bill for the youngster – who has made two League Cup appearances for them – it is unlikely to go to Ampadu’s head. Since first playing for Wales Under-17s last year, he has been tipped as captain Ashley Williams’ eventual successor.

A dedicated upbringing under dad Kwame Ampadu (above), an ex-pro once on Arsenal’s books who played for West Brom, has kept him focused.

Tisdale added: “He has had that home influence and his father was very clear he needed to be professionallyminded, even at a young age.

“He would have played a lot more games for us last season were he not at school. In the play-offs we were away at Carlisle and he had GSCES. It was not fair to expect him to do his exams and play for us.”

Now bigger tests are ahead, domestically and internationally. or