Ethan Ampadu makes worrying admission for Leeds United fans after England loss

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Leeds United captain Ethan Ampadu has admitted that he feels bruised after Wales fell to a heavy defeat against England at Wembley.

Ethan Ampadu played just over an hour of Wales’ 3-0 loss against England and was largely bypassed as the Three Lions overran the visitors’ midfield.

Karl Darlow received a sympathetic response from fans online as the Leeds goalkeeper was beaten three times in the opening half an hour, while Joe Rodon also received praise from the Welsh media.

Wales face a crucial qualifier against Belgium in their next fixture, and Leeds boss Daniel Farke will be hoping his players come through unscathed after a bruising schedule.

However, the Leeds captain has admitted that the three Wales stars’ egos have taken a hit after they suffered a humbling defeat at Wembley.

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Leeds United captain Ethan Ampadu reflects on Wales defeat

Speaking after Wales’ defeat to England, via the Irish News, Ampadu admitted that Wales’ pride as professionals had taken a hit after the damaging opening half hour against England.

However, the midfielder insisted that Wales will pick themselves up after the defeat and will not dwell on it ahead of the next crucial game.

Asked whether Wales’ morale would drop, Ampadu said: “Maybe naturally in the moment, because we’re all professionals. We came here with the highest expectations of ourselves.

“We wanted to put on a better performance and show what we can do, what we’ve been practising and what we’re capable of. But whether we like it or not, we have to go again on Monday, and we know how big it is.

“So whether the morale’s gone or the ego is a little bit bruised, we have to pick ourselves up as a team, which we will do. We’ve already spoken about that. It’s time to go again.”

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Wales loss has impacted Leeds’ season before

Although the loss against England was just a friendly, Leeds fans will be hoping that it does not cast a shadow over the season moving forward.

Farke will be concerned, however, as a damaging Wales defeat has had an impact on Leeds’ season in the past.

Leeds’ 23/24 results after Wales’ play-off defeat:

• Watford 2-2 Leeds
• Leeds 3-1 Hull
• Coventry 2-1 Leeds
• Leeds 0-0 Sunderland
• Leeds 0-1 Blackburn
• Middlesbrough 3-4 Leeds
• QPR 4-0 Leeds
• Leeds 1-2 Southampton

Dan James missed the crucial penalty in Wales’ Euro 2024 play-off against Poland, as Leeds hunted promotion in Farke’s first season at the club.

With Rodon, Ampadu, James and former loanee Connor Roberts all in the Wales side that day, Leeds’ league form slumped as they won just two from their remaining eight games to miss out on automatic promotion.