FC CYMRU PLAYER EDITION – MIDFIELDERS
The tactical intricacies of the modern game require players to adapt and evolve into different positions, and both the men's and women's national teams are blessed with a couple of players with the technical maturity to play in both midfield and defence.
Throughout their respective time for different clubs and their country, Ethan Ampadu and Sophie Ingle have occupied central defensive and midfield positions, and both are happy to compete in whatever position they are needed to when it comes to representing Cymru.
“I can play as a centre-back or in a holding role in central midfield,” explained Ampadu in an interview during the last camp. “Personally, I don’t have a preference. I feel more than comfortable playing any of those positions. As a player, I’d like to think that I’m first of all versatile, that I’m comfortable, I feel like I’m a player that likes to get on the ball and start attacks and build from there. I’d like to think that I bring high energy. I know I’m young, but I like to think that I can make good decisions on the ball and help teams start from the back.”
An influential figure in midfield for Chelsea in the FA Women's Super League, Ingle has experienced plenty of domestic success recently. Playing in her more advanced position, Ingle has scored a few crucial goals both in the league and in Europe, but her responsibilities for her country are shaped on captaining the side from her central defensive position and ensuring the side maintain the solid defensive record that has been the cornerstone of their progress in recent years.
Although Ampadu is currently on-loan at Sheffield United, it is interesting to note that both are Chelsea players, and share a similar versatility that makes them key figures for Cymru. Both are exceptionally talented on the ball, while their ability to read the game from their deeper roles has been a key factor of their performances.
Ingle's versatility has been key for Chelsea and Cymru, with her defensive tendencies for her club allowing her pick up the ball in deep positions and take advantage of her passing range, while allowing others to push forward. For Cymru, her ability to read the game has been vital to their defensive line. “We've built a good defensive relationship, and our results have shown that,” said Ingle recently. “It's not just about the defenders, the players in front of us work just as hard to limit the opposition's chances and I think we do that quite well. It's what we're really good at, especially individually.”
