Chelsea have not won the Premier League title since 2017, but one of their former players was able to win his division on Saturday.
While the Blues have once again failed to compete for the title, they are at least in with a shout of qualifying for the Champions League.
Enzo Maresca‘s men are currently fifth in the Premier League table and will make a return to Europe’s elite competition next season if they finish there.
There are just four games left for Chelsea to play in the top flight, including against Liverpool on Sunday afternoon. Liverpool will receive a guard of honour from their rivals following their title success this term.
Ethan Ampadu captains Leeds United to Championship title
In 2023, Leeds United signed Ethan Ampadu from Chelsea, and the Yorkshire club will have absolutely no regrets about bringing the 24-year-old in.
Despite only being at Elland Road for two seasons, Ampadu has already become Leeds captain, leading them to Premier League promotion and the Championship title.
Daniel Farke’s men beat Plymouth Argyle 2-1 on Saturday to clinch the Championship crown, just about edging out Burnley in a close battle at the top of English football’s second division.
Ampadu has not always seen success at his club, though. During his time at Chelsea, he was loaned out to three teams who would all go on to get relegated while he was there: Sheffield United, Venezia and Spezia.
Leeds’ return to the Premier League means Ampadu will get to face his former club Chelsea next season. The Wales international, who can play in midfield and defence, joined the Blues from Exeter City in July 2017 before signing for Leeds permanently in July 2023.
Ethan Ampadu on his move from Chelsea to Leeds United
Ampadu will have no regrets about his transfer to Leeds either. The ex-Chelsea academy player is getting regular game time and feels he has found a home at Elland Road after spending years out on loan.
When Ampadu spoke about being at Leeds in March, he said: “I feel like I’ve found a home, and hopefully I can show that in performances and in the way I am as a person. I feel like those things I’ve experienced and lived through, I’ve had to mature quite early.
“I’ve lived in a few different places, experienced different cultures and seen how people conduct themselves in those professional environments. Being trusted at 15 to play and perform to get results, I guess that’s one way I’ve had to mature. But also just being around people who are older than me for a large part of my development plays a part in it as well.”
Ampadu did not get too many chances at Chelsea, but at Leeds he is now thriving.
