Leeds United are approaching the halfway stage, and if the aim was to earn a point a game, they are certainly on track. Saturday night’s win over Crystal Palace means Leeds have 19 points from 17 games.
With Sunderland away next, the Whites will be hoping to take their unbeaten run of four games into the new year by avoiding defeat on Wearside. It has been a brilliant end to the year, after six defeats in seven.
Ethan Ampadu was majestic vs Palace. Does he deserve more recognition at Leeds? Let us know in the comments
There have been many key players in that run. Dominic Calvert-Lewin is the obvious one, scoring six goals in five games, netting in each of those five. The first Leeds player to do so since Mark Viduka in 2003.
The change to a back three has worked to perfection, and the wing-backs have been immense. But the underrated cog in the middle of it all is the skipper, Ethan Ampadu. Daniel Farke has sung his praises.
Daniel Farke thinks Ethan Ampadu is one of the league’s best
Ampadu’s turnaround has been immense. Bought from Chelsea for £10m as Farke’s first signing as Leeds manager in 2023, Ampadu has found a home after four consecutive loans while on the Chelsea books.
After a brilliant first season, Ampadu replaced Liam Cooper as captain. His injuries last season highlighted his importance, with Leeds struggling away from home without the Wales midfielder in Farke’s starting XI.
Now back in the Premier League, after another knee injury and a tricky bit of form, Ampadu is back to his best. In Tuesday’s press conference, Farke said he thinks Ampadu is one of the league’s best midfielders.
“It’s difficult to compare. Different tasks for Man City or for Arsenal, and a side fighting against relegation. For us, he’s a key player. He’s one of our most important players. If not our most important player.
“He’s playing in the heart of midfield, you have to be strong and we have this with Stach, Gruev, Tanaka, Longstaff. Ethan is a cornerstone and a key figure. Important for the balance, good against the ball.
“He wins duels, has a sense of danger, helps the backline, initiates the attacks, he stifles counterattacks. There is more to come. He’s young for a captain, but he is one of the best midfielders in this league.”
Ethan Ampadu’s excellent stats for Leeds in win over Chelsea 📊
Ethan Ampadu’s stats for Leeds in win v Chelsea:
- 90 minutes played, 7.4 FotMob rating
- 53 touches (Leeds highest), 23/27 successful passes (85%)
- 17 defensive contributions (best on pitch)
- 2 tackles, 2 interceptions, 1 block, 6 recoveries, 6 clearances
- Five duels won (joint fifth)
More praise for Ampadu after Troy Deeney’s Team of the Week
Farke’s comments come after arguably Ampadu’s best performance of the season in the 4-1 win over Palace. A stunning performance as a whole but also Ampadu, who notched his first top-tier goal.
So much so, that Troy Deeney named Ampadu as one of three Leeds men in his BBC Team of the Week alongside Farke and Calvert-Lewin. Deeney said: “I really, really like this player. I like what he is about.
“Not only has he grown as a player since he left Chelsea but he has grown as a human and a real leader. Big tackles, big moments, he is always there and got a goal in the victory against Palace,” Deeney said.
Ampadu might have cost £10m, and while in the Championship, that is on the expensive side. But fee aside, Ampadu has arguably been the most important signing made by Farke since he arrived in 2023.
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