Euro 2024 play-offs: Ethan Ampadu to become youngest Wales player to 50 caps

“That’s the player you should be excited about.”

Ethan Ampadu had just walked behind Ashley Williams in a stadium corridor in Chisinau as the then Wales captain gave his firm declaration of a future star.

With a nod of the head in the direction of the dreadlocked 16-year-old strolling past, the man who skippered Wales to the 2016 European Championship semi-finals the previous summer was unequivocal.

“That’s the guy who’s going to replace me,” Williams said, without a hint of worry time may prove him wrong.

While Liverpool youngster Ben Woodburn grabbed headlines for a goal and assist in World Cup qualifying, Williams was anointing an unused sub as his natural heir as Wales centre-back and leader. For good reason.

Ampadu’s position may still be under debate, defender for club, midfielder for country, but his status in Wales’ new generation is not.

He has already reached two major championships and is almost certain to start Thursday’s Euro 2024 play-off semi-final against Finland in Cardiff – the winners play Poland or Estonia five days later for a place in Germany this summer.

In doing so – at 23 years, six months and eight days – he will become the youngest Welshman to reach 50 caps, with manager Rob Page as adamant as Williams that Ampadu is a Wales captain in waiting.

As Leeds and Wales team-mate Joe Rodon put it: “He’s going to be one for the future – which sounds mad to say because it feels like he’s been around forever.”

To be precise, it was eight years ago when Ampadu, still a schoolboy in Exeter, was invited by Chris Coleman to train with the Wales squad preparing for Euro 2016.

“I was a very nervous young boy,” Ampadu said as he recalled being driven by his father, former Swansea and Exeter midfielder Kwame, to the team’s Vale of Glamorgan base.

“He might not remember it but the first person I met was Ben Davies. Just that initial ‘How are you?’ was quite settling for me.”

Nowadays it is Ampadu on arrivals duty to help welcome the youngsters but back then, he had not even sat his GCSEs.

He went from training with Gareth Bale to the banter of classmates when Wales were beaten by England in their Euro 2016 group match.

“I left early that day because they were all celebrating, but in the tournament I had the last laugh, which was quite nice,” he said with a sneaking grin.

Ampadu had been courted by England – even playing twice at under-15 level – but says his choice to choose the country of his Swansea-born mother was never in question.

What was questioned, though, was whether he could live up to the excitable predictions.

Signed by Chelsea after making his Exeter debut at a club record 15 years old, his time at Stamford Bridge was more notable for several loan periods than appearances for the Premier League side.

But just as Exeter manager Paul Tisdale had compared Ampadu’s breakthrough to a 35-year-old strolling through a game, Wales watchers recognised an old head on young shoulders.

During discussions over Ampadu’s international position, one senior coach simply replied: “Wherever he wants it to be.”

First capped in the final games of Coleman’s reign, his first start against Ireland in 2018 saw Ampadu direct proceedings, marshalling far more experienced team-mates as if born for the international stage.

“I don’t like the word ‘ordering’,” he said, although did accept he’s always found it a natural part of his game to talk and coach his way through a game. “You just try and help your team.

“Growing up as a Chelsea fan, I would look up to John Terry as captain but also Didier Drogba. He wasn’t a captain but he would lead the team with his performance rather than wearing the armband.”

Those are qualities that have seen him made captain at Leeds.

Ever-present under Daniel Farke, he has grown with every passing week in leading led his team to the top of the Championship.

“When you feel settled and comfortable, that’s when you can play your best football,” agrees Ampadu. “You don’t have any other distractions going on. That’s been shown.”

Youngest Wales players to reach 50 caps

• Ethan Ampadu – 23 years, six months and eight days (v Finland, 2024)*
• Chris Gunter – 24 years, two months and 24 days (v Belgium, 2013)
• Gareth Bale – 25 years, 10 months and 27 days (v Belgium 2015)
• Ben Davies – 26 years, five months and 19 days (v Croatia 2019)
• Dan James – 26 years, four months and 12 days (v Finland, 2024)*
• Harry Wilson – 26 years, six months and 23 days (v Croatia 2023)
• Brian Flynn – 26 years, six months and 23 days (v Scotland 1982)

*If they play against Finland on Thursday, 21 March

Ampadu will reach 50 caps more than two years quicker than Wales’ record cap-holder Bale, if he faces Finland.

But predictably, he considers talking too much about himself a distraction. The milestone is an achievement to cherish, he says, but not before reaching Euro 2024.

“If you focus on how quick you can do it then you take away how special the milestone is,” he declares.

With the likes of Bale and Williams gone, Ampadu is among a clutch of twenty-somethings who have found themselves with a greater ownership of this Wales team, as Williams predicted.

“I’m still young, but I’ve experienced a lot, which I’m very grateful for,” said Ampadu. “I’m hoping that even if people say I’ve been around forever that I’ve still got a long way to go in the game.”

Wales – and a certain former captain – will hope that includes a trip to Germany this summer.