Aidy White has issued his verdict on the performance of Ethan Ampadu as Leeds United made a real statement with their 4-0 victory over Ipswich Town on Saturday.
Daniel Farke’s side closed the gap to the Tractor Boys at the top of the Championship to seven points. But the manner of the victory against Kieran McKenna’s men arguably made the win so much more valuable than the three points on offer.
Some of the talk heading into the game focused around Ethan Ampadu playing every single minute in the Championship this season.
Aidy White praises Ethan Ampadu after stunning Leeds win
The Wales international has proved to be a brilliant signing since his move in the summer. However, there were signs more recently that Ampadu had started to tire and could potentially do with a rest.
However, Ampadu looked to be back to his very best against Ipswich. As shown by Whoscored, no player on either side won more tackles than the 23-year-old. Meanwhile, he made two interceptions.
And Aidy White has told BBC Radio Leeds that the midfielder’s display probably went under the radar given how lethal the front four were.
“To be a Leeds United player at this level and when you’ve got Elland Road like that, if you can’t thrive on it, then you’re certainly at the wrong club. Our front four have been so good again. They’re just electric, Dan James, Summerville, Rutter, Piroe. But because they’re so good, so many other players go unseen and go undervalued, Glen Kamaras, Ampadus,” he said.
“We haven’t even mentioned him much because the front four were that good, that he’s not got the attention he deserved,” he added when asked about Ampadu.
Daniel Farke’s side have now set the standard
Leeds’ task now is to get close to those performance levels in almost every game they play between now and the end of the campaign.
With the gap still at seven points, there is still plenty of work to do. And Ipswich remain in the driving seat for automatic-promotion.
Leeds went into the game having not won either of their previous two games. So it is important to not get too carried away at this point.
But clearly, this team have the potential to blow any side in the division away. We have seen two victories over Ipswich this season with eight goals scored against them.
And given that they now face Leicester on Boxing Day, Ipswich are facing a huge test of their character.
Leeds just need to make sure that they are in the right place if they do slip up.
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