Ampadu billed as better than Ramsey and future captain of Chelsea & Wales

The Stamford Bridge starlet has seen his potential talked up by Cledwyn Ashford, with the teenager being backed to reach the very top of the game

Ethan Ampadu has been billed as a future captain of and , with the teenage midfielder considered to be more talented than illustrious countrymen such as Aaron Ramsey and Gary Speed.

Cledwyn Ashford, the education and welfare officer for Wales U15s and U16s, has seen the youngster emerge as one of the hottest prospects his country has ever produced.

He has a long way to go before he can claim to enjoy a similar standing to the likes of Gareth Bale, but he is making positive progress down the right path.

First-team opportunities have been awarded to him at club level, following a move to Stamford Bridge in the summer of 2017, while four senior international caps have been secured.

Ampadu, who has also committed to a new five-year contract with Chelsea this season, is now being tipped to reach the very top, with Ashford telling FC Cymru: "He is a tremendous young man, one of the politest young men you're likely to meet.

"You remember certain players when you see them for the first time.

"Straight away you could see the excitement on the coaches' faces and you could see he has such balance, vision.

"He's strong and when he's on the pitch he commands, can battle with anyone, so sophisticated how he does things, looks at things,

"Off the pitch he 100 per cent looks after himself, listens to coaches, behaves himself. He is a lovely lad.

"I've worked with people like the late Gary Speed, who was an outstanding player.

"I've worked with others who have come through the system, seen others develop, seen Aaron Ramsey at that age.

"And for me Ethan is as good if not better because he has something quite special.

"He has an ability but also an attitude and I'm sure in the future, if he's still there he'll become a Chelsea captain and I'm sure he'll become a Welsh captain.

"I expect great things of Ethan Ampadu."

Ampadu took in seven appearances for Chelsea last season, including a Premier League debut against Huddersfield, but is still waiting on his first competitive minutes under Maurizio Sarri.