Leeds United can call upon some of Wales’ best and most important players like Joe Rodon, Ethan Ampadu, and Dan James, but Dean Saunders thinks one is better than them all.
Leeds United are a football club with a long history of Welsh players, including the likes of Gary Speed and John Charles as by far the most famous. However, there are more now contracted to Leeds than at any other stage in the club’s history.
There have been 14 Welsh players to feature for Leeds since the year 2000, but seven of them came between 2000 and 2016, while the other seven came from 2018 onwards. Four of them are currently in the first-team in 2025/26.
Tyler Roberts has moved on and Connor Roberts has returned from his loan at Burnley. Charlie Crew may well be on loan at Doncaster Rovers, but Dan James, Karl Darlow, Joe Rodon, and Ethan Ampadu are current Leeds players.
Dean Saunders claims Harry Wilson is more important than Joe Rodon and Dan James for Wales
Heading into the Premier League, it was clear that Ampadu and Rodon were players for Leeds to build around under Daniel Farke. They have become so vitally important for club and country.
Rodon and Ampadu were missing for Wales during the last international break. They returned to face England in a friendly and Belgium in a crucial UEFA World Cup qualifier.
Rodon scored for Wales in defeat to Belgium last night, and the majority of Leeds fans are loving Rodon’s recent antics for both club and country. Even after a stellar display, though, he is not yet seen as his country’s most vital player by all.
Jermaine Beckford has urged Leeds to sign Harry Wilson recently. Leeds United News first revealed the deadline day interest in Wilson from Leeds. However, the move did not materialise.
Speaking via talkSPORT yesterday, Dean Saunders claims that Wilson is more crucial. He said: “Well, we’ve obviously got [Aaron] Ramsey, Dan James as two starters who are missing and Aaron Ramsey struggling to stay fit.
“But Dan James — lightning fast, Brennan Johnson — lightning fast, David Brooks — silky, and Harry Wilson — silky on the ball. You’ve got Kieffer Moore — the target man.
“And that’s the strength of our team. But we’ve definitely got players who can supply Kieffer Moore.
“For me, Harry Wilson is our best player. You know, we’ve all got wingers playing for our teams that don’t have an end product.
“Harry Wilson either scores or makes a goal every time I watch him play.”
Wilson signed for Fulham in July 2021, costing £12 million from Liverpool (Sky Sports). However, it’s recently been reported that Leeds will take another look at Wilson this winter.
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Harry Wilson rushes to defend Ethan Ampadu after Wales lose 4-2 to Belgium
It’s unclear if a deal will materialise, especially with Fulham and Leeds sources in disagreement over why the deal never materialised in the first place this summer.
The other consideration is that Marco Silva has made his feelings towards retaining Wilson clear. The appeal with Leeds is perhaps more regular first-team opportunities for the 28-year-old.
He would also get the chance to play alongside the Welsh players he knows so well. In fact, speaking of teammates, Wilson defended Leeds captain Ampadu post-match from the Belgium game yesterday.
He said: “I’ve not seen the penalty but it looked a bit harsh to me; Ethan was just moving side to side and it struck his hand. That’s unfortunate but we have to defend the second goal better.”
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