Daniel Farke has a number of players that are first names on the team sheet and Dan James says one of them is “unbelievable”, both on the pitch and behind the scenes.
Illan Meslier is without doubt, first-choice between the sticks for Leeds while Joe Rodon and Pascal Struijk are unlikely to be moved out of the defence at any point in the near future, despite Max Wober’s return.
Junior Firpo has more assists than any other player in the Championship in 2024, and even new signing Isaac Schmidt would find it impossible to dislodge the former Barcelona defender at the current moment.
Ethan Ampadu will always start in midfield but Farke has a headache on who to play alongside him after the addition of Ao Tanaka, as well as the form of Ilia Gruev. Ampadu’s consistency remains incredible.
James says Ethan Ampadu just takes everything in his stride
The £10m signing has been made Leeds captain this season after playing all 49 Championship games for The Whites last season. There is every chance he surpasses 100 games this season if remains injury free.
His consistency and reliability has seen Ampadu even captain his country of late. Ampadu’s Leeds and Wales teammate James was full of praise for his captain when talking to PA Sport, as per the Evening Post.
“Ethan just takes everything in his stride. The way he carries himself on and off the pitch is unbelievable. He’s naturally a captain at heart,” James said, when discussing Leeds skipper Ampadu this week.
Ampadu showed his leadership after full-time on Saturday
Having just played every single minute of Leeds’ 2-0 win over Hull City on Saturday and helped Leeds remain unbeaten as well as keeping a third clean sheet in a row, Ampadu showed why he is captain.
Following the full-time whistle, he pushed new signings Ao Tanaka, Largie Ramazani and Manor Solomon in front of the Leeds fans to get their own cheer. Even after 90 minutes, he is showing captain qualities.
A big personality was required to fill the void left by Liam Cooper after his contract expired but in Ampadu, Leeds have a player that can end up being captain for years and years at Elland Road.
Receive a digest of our best Leeds content each week direct to your mailbox
