Ampadu: “There is great chemistry in this group”

After a standout performance in Venezia’s pivotal win over Fiorentina at Stadio Penzo on Monday night, Wales international Ethan Ampadu reflected on his versatility, his early impressions of the squad and Serie A, and his country’s quest for the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

"The fact that I can play in multiple positions definitely can be functional for the team. Personally, I feel comfortable playing both as a defender and as a midfielder. The important thing for me is to help my teammates as much as possible in any role the coach decides to deploy me.

We have shown to be a good team. I think our group is a perfect mix between young and experienced players. There is a great chemistry between us and this can definitely be one of our strengths.

In Serie A, every team is strong, there are no easy matches. Even if we are adapting, as we have just arrived in this league, it's up to us to give the best of ourselves, approaching one match at a time, studying each opponent that we are going to face. Against Fiorentina, for example, the manager asked for particular attention in defense, and we tried to execute this on the pitch at our best, and we've succeed as we did not concede a goal.

Coming from the Premier League, where the referee's judgment on contact is different, perhaps I have to be more conscious to avoid being booked, but it's obviously a risk for a player like myself with the task of recovering the ball for the team.

Our next games with Wales will be important for qualification and we will have to be at our best. Playing the World Cup is the dream of every boy, so I will do everything I can to bring my national team to Qatar."