Leeds United proved they can mix it with some of the Premier League’s big boys last night.
A much-changed Leeds XI ran a multi-million pound Chelsea team all the way with Conor Gallagher’s 90th minute goal the only difference between the two sides at Stamford Bridge.
A couple of Leeds youngsters were the stars of the show on the night with Mateo Joseph netting his first two goals for the club, and Archie Gray outshining a £200 million midfield by winning Man of the Match.
But there will have been one man in particular before the game keen to make an impression and that is Ethan Ampadu, with Chelsea selling him to Leeds for just £7 million having barely given him a chance.
Ampadu certainly played like a man looking to prove a point, though that has been the standard he has played at all season. Speaking on ITV Sport pre-match, Eni Aluko believes he has proved to be a superb piece of business.
Aluko hails Leeds summer signing Ampadu
She said: “We talk about price tags, Ampadu bought for £7 million from Chelsea, that’s good value isn’t it? He’s been unbelievable. He’s a midfielder who has dropped back into centre-back but great signing for Leeds, he has been really strong.”
Ampadu was one of those players lost in the loan system at Chelsea and it is clear to see what having a permanent home has done for his confidence.
The 23-year-old immediately became one of Leeds’ best players from the first whistle in August but has still continued to grow and grow, even wearing the captain’s armband in recent weeks.
Ampadu has mentioned frequently over the course of the season how important it has been to have a club he can properly call home, and you would not have said Chelsea’s two midfielders were worth £100 million more than him last night.
He certainly proved that if Leeds do get promoted this season that he is more than ready to make the step up to the Premier League.
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