Losing Ethan Ampadu has been a big blow for Leeds United and it is clear to see the skipper’s presence is missing on the pitch, judging by the form of the side in recent weeks.
Having returned from a previous knee injury, Ampadu started 11 games and came on in a further three before suffering another issue. Starting 11 of the 12 games before his injury, Leeds won nine times.
In that run prior to the Sheffield United victory, Leeds had kept nine clean sheets in those 12 games and only conceded five goals with three coming in an anomaly that was the 3-3 draw away at Hull City.
But injury has struck again for a player that was ever-present last season. Leeds have dropped points to West Brom and Portsmouth since his absence, looking a worse side without the Wales international.
Ethan Ampadu hints at long-term future at Leeds United
The concern for Leeds fans is not simply missing out on promotion or having to do another season in the Championship, but a long-term worry of falling into the second-tier abyss again like pre-Marcelo Bielsa.
Failure to go up this season will see parachute payments reduce from 45% to 20%, and the best players will leave. Illan Meslier, Pascal Struijk, Ao Tanaka, Dan James, Wilfried Gnonto and others will have interest.
Ampadu could fall under that category if Leeds don’t go up. But, speaking to BBC Sounds this week, the skipper says he thinks he has found a home at Elland Road – hinting he is here to stay for the long-term.
“I’m really happy here. I feel like I’ve found a home. I’ve had to mature quickly. As long as we keep on doing what we’re doing I’m sure things will be even more enjoyable,” he said, in an honest interview.
How long does Ethan Ampadu’s Leeds contract run until?
Joining the club for an initial £7m from Chelsea in the summer of 2023 after loan spells at Leipzig, Venezia and Spezia and even rivals Sheffield United, Ampadu put pen to paper on a five-year Elland Road deal.
A contract that will see him remain at Leeds until the summer of 2028. So, Leeds are under not threat of Ampadu leaving and the skipper is showing no intent to depart, even if Leeds do not end up promoted.
That of course can change, but while the likes of Meslier, Struijk, Gnonto and even Mateo Joseph have generated interest, there has not been any links with any new clubs for Ampadu at this moment in time.
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