It must feel like Groundhog Day for Ethan Ampadu.
Ever since he signed on at Stamford Bridge, his future has periodically been the subject of speculation and questions every summer.
With 36 caps for Wales to his name, he has long been established as a key man for his country, and is likely to feature heavily in Rob Page's plans out in Qatar this winter. But while his CV bursts with experience on the international stage, the wheels of his Chelsea career haven't always turned quite as freely.
READ MORE: Ethan Ampadu gives Chelsea plenty to ponder as he bids to make history with Wales
That said, Ampadu was the shining light in what was otherwise a pretty poor Venezia side in Serie A last season, while he's already had a reasonable taste of the demands involved with Premier League football with Sheffield United.
With a World Cup on the horizon, it's only natural for many to wonder with increased vigour what will happen this term. The importance of regular game-time has surged for almost all of Page's stars recently, and Ampadu is no different.
Making the grade at Chelsea is, as countless other youngsters will testify to, a tough ask at the best of times. But the emergence in recent years of players like Tammy Abraham, Callum Hudson-Odoi and, more recently, Trevoh Chalobah, show there is some semblance of a pathway to first-team football.
After signing a new three-year deal last summer, the Welshman may well believe this is his best chance yet to put his hand up for consideration, with boss Thomas Tuchel set to oversee a major revamp of his defensive options.
Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen have departed, while Thiago Silva has his best years behind him, and César Azpilicueta's future seems uncertain.
Former Blues man Nathan Ake looks to be the man at the top of Tuchel's wishlist, but could cost as much as £50m, and other options are likely to be just as costly.
For that reason alone, there's perhaps a little more cause to look inwards for a solution. It's worth pointing out, by the way, Ampadu boasts just as much Premier League experience as Ake, while his showings for Wales prove he's capable of thriving within a high-pressure environment.
It's all very impressive for someone so young, but whether it'll translate itself into tangible success at one of the giants of European football is another question entirely. Ampadu has already proven to be an accomplished option at the top level, but the demands at a club like Chelsea arguably render such feats a bare minimum.
Nevertheless, he's clearly on Tuchel's radar this summer. Ampadu is set to return to pre-season training with the rest of Chelsea's international stars on Saturday, and it's understood he will fly out with the rest of the squad to the United States for their pre-season tour, where he will be given a chance to impress his boss.
There's already a feeling the former Exeter City starlet's ability to play anywhere across the back three, or as a holding midfielder (a position many consider his best), gives him a highly attractive level of versatility, which has in turn seen him emerge as a real option for Tuchel ahead of the new campaign.
With Premier League sides now able to make five subs next season, it's entirely plausible Ampadu will be seen as a potentially useful member of his squad, and with holding midfielders Jorginho and N'Golo Kante both entering the final years of their contracts, there's perhaps even more scope for him to lay down some roots inside the first-team set-up.
But it may take time for that to translate into regular game-time and, with the World Cup just around the corner, another spell away may yet be seen as the best option, although there doesn't appear to be a suitor lying in wait just yet.
The summer began with tentative links to Swansea City, although those suggestions were soon played down by club insiders and sources in west London. Besides, it's understood were he to embark on another loan spell, he would likely be eyeing a club at a higher level than the Championship.
The Premier League is surely where a player of his quality belongs.
It's worth stressing that at the time of writing, there's nothing on the table from any potential suitors, which is perhaps a little surprising given Chelsea's umming and ahhing. But should he be made available you suspect there won't be any shortage of interested parties.
READ NEXT:
- Joe Allen completes dream Swansea City homecoming as star signs two-year deal
- Joe Allen to be handed iconic shirt number for Swansea City return
- Neco Williams 'training alone' at Liverpool as Nottingham Forest aim to give him way out before the weekend
Get your hands on our brilliant Wales at the World Cup souvenir special
