Daniel Farke has told his post-match press conference – as per Leeds Live – that he did not want to start Leeds United ace Ethan Ampadu against Shrewsbury Town in the first round of the Carabao Cup on Wednesday night.
Ampadu, 22, started once again for Leeds – after completing the entire match during Sunday’s 2-2 draw with Cardiff City. Having anchored the midfield on Sunday, he started in defence before moving into the middle of the park.
It sees the 44-time Wales international complete a second 90 minutes in the space of three days. Come Saturday, that is likely to be 270 minutes in six days. Already, Ampadu is being forced to be a constant fixture in the side.
Farke told his press conference that he is fully aware of this early workload on new signing Ampadu. The gaffer says he would have preferred not to start Ampadu – but there is a lack of options in the middle of the defence right now.
“Not yet,” Farke said, when asked if he has any big decisions to make on Saturday, against Birmingham. “We would have liked to rest Ethan, but we have problems at CB. Positioning in midfield was not ideal without him in there.”
Farke says he did not want to start Leeds ace Ampadu on Wednesday
It would have made sense to rest him. Ideally, though, Farke would have the likes of Tyler Adams, Sam Greenwood and even Stuart Dallas to choose from in the middle of the park. But Jamie Shackleton returned, in midfield.
A player that 12 months ago, you probably would have said might not have a future at Leeds any more. Injuries are growing at Elland Road – with Patrick Bamford, Liam Cooper, Cree Summerville, Georginio Rutter and others out.
Leeds needs the likes of Ampadu, Archie Gray, Pascal Struijk, Luke Ayling and others that have played the majority of the opening two fixtures to remain fit – while also bringing in some new signings to ease the workload and depth.
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