Wales and South Korea played out a 0-0 draw at The Cardiff City Stadium on Thursday night in which Leeds United midfielder Ethan Ampadu starred – with his nation’s media branding him as “outstanding”.
Ampadu, 22, joined Leeds in the summer after four successive loan spells away from Chelsea at Leipzig, Sheffield United, Venezia and Spezia. He has hit the ground running despite his constant club change.
He has played every minute of our seven games in all competitions at the base of the midfield. Even with Glen Kamara and Ilia Gruev, it is expected Ampadu will remain one of the first names on the team sheet.
Now on Wales duty, Ampadu won his 45th cap for his country – playing the first 45 minutes before being taken off at half-time by Rob Page in order to keep his legs fresh for Monday’s qualifier against Latvia.
Wales Online gave their verdict on our £7m signing, and his performance for Wales on Thursday night against a South Korean side that have huge energy – and Tottenham Hotspur captain Son Heung-min.
“Outstanding in the middle of the park. Mopped up brilliantly and broke up play at key times. A really pleasing outing,” Wales Online reported on Ampadu, handing him a 7/10 rating for his Thursday display.
Nation’s media brand Leeds midfielder Ampadu as outstanding
It is as if Ampadu has finally found his feet. It is a turning point in his career, going from a player with huge potential – to one that’s now a Premier League-standard player, playing as if he has done for years.
Ampady strolls about the pitch with a swagger and a confidence that looks like he has been playing at this level for 10 years. His time in Serie A may have helped. He is calm, but class. What a signing.
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