Maurizio Sarri admits he does not know what Ethan Ampadu’s best position is – and says that needs to change by the end of the season.
The youngster has played at centre-back and in midfield for the Blues and came on at right-back during Thursday’s Europa League win against Malmo at Stamford Bridge.
And head coach Sarri believes Ampadu needs to settle in one position for the sake of his development.
Speaking at a press conference, Sarri said: “We need to find the right position on the pitch for Ampadu. We are trying him as a midfielder, as a centre-back and as a full-back.
“But we need to have a clear idea because from now until the end of the season we have to decide, I think. Otherwise for him it is difficult to improve.”
England midfielder Ruben Loftus-Cheek, who has been plagued by a back problem for much of the season, also came on as a substitute against Malmo.
“We had a lot of problems with Loftus in the last two months,” Sarri said.
“He started to have training with his team-mates only two days ago after a long period of a big problem with his back.”