Antonio Conte says Ethan Ampadu 'could have a great future' after Chelsea's EFL Cup win over Cherries

The teenager barely put a foot wrong in Chelsea's 2-1 win over Bournemouth, although he was maybe fortunate to avoid a second booking for a tackle that put Jermain Defoe out of the game

Ethan Ampadu in action for Chelsea (Getty)

Antonio Conte says 17-year-old Ethan Ampadu “could have a great future”, after greatly impressing in Chelsea’s 2-1 League Cup win over Bournemouth.

The teenager barely put a foot wrong in a fine performance in the centre of defence, although he was maybe fortunate to avoid a second booking for a tackle that put Jermain Defoe out of the game.

Ampadu had earlier been booked for a foul on the same player in the opening moments, showing he was not daunted by the challenge posed by the Premier League veteran.

Conte actually praised him playing his usual game despite that caution.

“After one minute and 40 seconds, you decide to book a player who is 17-years-old... I think he played the whole game with this problem, and it's not simple for a defender to play after a yellow card in the second minute,” he said.

“You have to play 93 minutes with this danger. But he showed great maturity and personality. If you remember, I spoke about this player in an enthusiastic way. I said in the past that this player, despite his young age, has shown great maturity.

“I don't like to make gifts for someone. If they deserve it, I'm ready to play with very young players. Why not. Ampadu deserved to play this game and against Everton and against Huddersfield [Town] in the league. Now he has to stay calm.

“Maybe next game, he'll go to play for the youth league. I don't know. But this player is very humble. He could have a great future, but he has to continue in this way, to improve and to work.”