Chelsea
Derby County could bag a coup if they sign this out of favour Chelsea prodigy in January
Why Derby County should reignite interest in Chelsea’s Ethan Ampadu
Derby County manager Frank Lampard has confirmed that he wanted Chelsea youngster Ethan Ampadu on loan in the summer transfer window.
Ampadu, 18, joined Chelsea last summer from League Two outfit Exeter City and went onto feature seven times under Antonio Conte last season, including one in the Premier League. He hasn’t featured for the Blues under new manager Maurizio Sarri but he scripted headlines with an impressive performance in Wales’ 4-1 victory over the Republic of Ireland in the UEFA Nations League.
Now that Ampadu has failed to break into Sarri’s plans at Stamford Bridge, should Lampard reignite his interest in the 18-year-old in January?
Lampard signed a three-year deal with Derby County in May to announce his entry into management and is totally focused on getting the club back in the Premier League. He has wasted very little time in utilising his contacts to make signings, landing Mason Mount and Fikayo Tomori on loan from Chelsea this summer to bolster his squad.
Mount and Tomori have slotted in nicely at Derby County, with the latter enjoying a blistering start at Pride Park with four goals and an assist in eight games.
Derby have made a steady start to the new campaign, with Lampard making the team play a highly entertaining brand of football. Lampard has a decent squad but over the course of the campaign, he would need a couple of additions to keep up with the intensity of the gruelling Championship campaign.
In that case, Ampadu would be an excellent signing for the Rams. Ampadu’s exploits were quite impressive for a player of his age and he was given his first international start for Wales by manager Ryan Giggs in the game against the Republic of Ireland.
Despite his tender years, Ampadu, who can play in the midfield as well as in the defence, has already made 19 senior appearances – including six for Chelsea. At 18, he needs to have regular minutes of the pitch in order to unlock his true potential and looking at the current scheme of things at Chelsea, it looks improbable this season.
Ampadu is clearly ready for first-team action under Sarri but the Chelsea manager has failed to provide the youngster with game time so far this season. The best thing Sarri could do is send Ampadu on a short-term loan in January to help his development.
Read more: 4 goals in 8 games – Derby County’s promotion chances could hinge on their young star’s form this season
The chance to join Derby in January and add to his early experience could be a logical step in Ampadu’s career. The Wales international would certainly benefit from playing week in and week out at Pride Park under Frank Lampard.
Tottenham Women have signed Japan international Maika Hamano on loan from Chelsea until the end of the season, marking their fourth signing of the January transfer window. The 21 year old versatile attacker joins fellow new arrivals Matilda Nildén, Hannah Wijk and Signe Gaupset as Martin Ho strengthens his squad for a top four push.
Hamano joined Chelsea from INAC Kobe Leonessa in 2023 and was a member of Japan’s 2023 World Cup and 2024 Paris Olympics squads. However, she has seen limited minutes at Stamford Bridge this season under Sonia Bompastor, prompting the loan move to secure regular playing time.
Versatile Forward Provides Emergency Cover
The attacker can play anywhere across the forward line, operating on both flanks and centrally. She appears to be emergency cover for Jess Naz, who is out for the rest of the season after suffering an ACL injury in December. The loan is believed to be a dry loan with no purchase option included.
The only downside to Hamano’s arrival is that she will miss a couple of games this spring alongside fellow Japan international Toko Koga for the Asian Cup. Claire Hunt will also be absent during that period for international duty.
Spurs Positioning for Top Four Finish
Tottenham’s aggressive January business signals their ambition to finish in the top four or five this season. Reports suggest they are not finished in the transfer market with Julie Blakstad and Larissa Mühlhaus also mentioned as potential targets.
The club has moved swiftly to address squad weaknesses after struggling in the first half of the campaign. Hamano’s versatility gives Ho tactical flexibility as Spurs look to climb the WSL table when they return from the winter break on January 10.
Chelsea
(Photos) Chelsea Star Sam Kerr Marries USWNT’s Kristie Mewis in Australian Wedding of the Year as Matildas Captain Carries Son Jagger Down Aisle
Sam Kerr married longtime partner Kristie Mewis in a stunning New Year’s Eve ceremony at Dionysus Villa in Perth’s Swan Valley. The Chelsea striker and former USWNT midfielder, who welcomed son Jagger earlier in 2025, exchanged vows in front of 120 guests at the luxurious Venetian inspired estate in what Australian media dubbed “Australian sport’s wedding of the year.”
Kerr dazzled in a classic black tuxedo with a white buttonhole rose while Mewis wore a white sparkling gown featuring a corset and long veil. In a touching moment, Kerr carried their seven month old son down the aisle with Mewis later revealing on her podcast that she would “sob when that happens.”
Matildas Stars Among Superstar Guests
The guestlist included several of Kerr’s Matildas teammates including Steph Catley, Mackenzie Arnold and Alanna Kennedy, who all wore black outfits in line with the dress code. Arsenal stars Caitlin Foord and Katie McCabe also attended alongside former United States teammate Stephanie McCaffrey.
The couple got engaged in late 2023 after meeting in 2019 and officially announcing their relationship in 2021. They celebrated into the early hours of 2026 before flying back to London with baby Jagger after a brief stay at the Crown Towers hotel.
A full honeymoon is on hold due to Kerr’s upcoming fixture for Chelsea against West Ham on January 11th.
Wedding Caps Remarkable Recovery
The ceremony caps a remarkable two years for Kerr following her ACL injury sustained in January 2024 that kept her out for 20 months. Her recovery was extended due to an undiscovered issue with the surgical graft that caused persistent pain and dark days during rehabilitation.
She made her return in September 2025, scoring her 100th Chelsea goal minutes after coming off the bench against Aston Villa.
Also read: Sjoeke Nüsken Open to Chelsea Exit as Bayern Munich Circle, Expresses Her Preference
Arsenal Dragon
Top Women’s Football Free Agents in 2026 as Lucy Bronze, Bunny Shaw and Georgia Stanway Among Stars With Expiring Contracts
A large number of high profile players in women’s football will become free agents this summer with reigning WSL champions Chelsea facing the potential departure of eight first team stars. Lucy Bronze, Hannah Hampton, Millie Bright, Aggie Beever Jones, Sam Kerr, Catarina Macario, Guro Reiten and Rebecca Spencer are all out of contract or require options to be exercised.
All Chelsea players are available to sign pre contracts with clubs outside the WSL from this month. Macario is the player most likely to leave amid interest from NWSL side Bay FC, with the United States international having found game time limited under Sonia Bompastor this season.
Arsenal Face Major Contract Decisions
Arsenal also have several top players requiring action including Emily Fox, Katie McCabe, Kim Little, Stina Blackstenius and Beth Mead. Mead could be on the move after being linked with London City Lionesses last summer, though the Gunners will be desperate to retain the Euro 2025 winner.
Manchester City face losing WSL leading goalscorer Bunny Shaw on a free transfer this summer. Leila Ouahabi and Laura Coombs are also both out of contract at the Joie Stadium. Manchester United will be keen to exercise the option on Ella Toone’s deal after the midfielder was awarded an MBE in the New Year Honours List.
European Stars Available
England midfielder Georgia Stanway is attracting interest from clubs including Arsenal with her Bayern Munich contract expiring. Barcelona face uncertainty over several stars including Alexia Putellas, Mapi Leon, Salma Paralluelo and Caroline Graham Hansen.
Caroline Weir is on an expiring contract at Real Madrid while former England number one Mary Earps could leave Paris Saint Germain. Trinity Rodman’s Washington Spirit contract expires with WSL champions Chelsea among clubs interested in the United States forward.
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