Leeds United midfielder Ethan Ampadu insists he is not feeling the effects of fatigue ahead of the busy Christmas period.
Ampadu has played every minute of all 24 matches in all competitions for Leeds so far this season since moving from Chelsea in an initial £7 million deal during the summer.
The 23-year-old has been one of Leeds‘ best and most consistent performers throughout the campaign but has tailed off slightly in recent weeks, with his worst display arguably coming at Sunderland last week.
In an interview with Leeds Live earlier this week, Ampadu was quizzed on whether his slight drop in form has been down to how much he has played, which he disregarded.
He said: “I can’t sit here one minute and say I want to play every single minute and then complain I might be a bit tired. It’s pretty simple and pretty easy.
“I have to manage my body, look after myself and make sure in between games I rest and recover properly so throughout the 90 minutes I can maybe look a bit less tired.”
Farke needs to rotate better for Leeds
It is pretty clear that Ampadu is the lynchpin of this Leeds team and that Daniel Farke is reluctant to ever play without him, regardless of the scoreline.
Whenever Leeds are trailing in matches, Glen Kamara is often the man sacrificed for an extra attacker, with Ampadu tasked with holding down the midfield on his own.
That said, Farke did say last week that Ampadu’s form has tailed off slightly in recent weeks, and that his long passing game could certainly do with some work.
Ampadu would never admit that he is feeling the effects of fatigue but having played so much football already this season, there is no doubt it is a factor to his recent drop in form.
Leeds have Ilia Gruev sat on the bench every week who has barely kicked a ball since arriving in the summer and Farke should trust him to be able to do a job, even if it is in place of Ampadu.
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