Ethan Ampadu will have been delighted to have got back into the starting XI on Saturday after three long months on the sidelines, but there was no sympathy from manager Daniel Farke.
After brief substitute appearances against Middlesbrough and then Preston, Ampadu was thrown into the starting line-up against Oxford United. Probably, sooner than manager Farke might have liked to do so.
Leeds were without both Pascal Struijk and Max Wober – with Struijk only good enough for the bench on Saturday. It meant Farke was limited when it came to picking a partner for Joe Rodon on Saturday.
He could have thrown youngster James Debayo in for his first start. Or, Farke may have handed Josuha Guilavogui a first start for Leeds – but instead, he chose to risk captain Ampadu in central defence.
Daniel Farke’s high standards still applied to Ethan Ampadu
Ampadu played like he has been playing regularly every week. Indeed, Ampadu proved Farke wrong with the Leeds boss saying it will take him three months to get back to his best, having been out for that time.
The Wales star won all six of his duels, touched the ball more than any other players (126) and completed 103 out of an attempted 115 passes. A really solid 90 minutes for Ampadu, ahead of Stoke on Boxing Day.
But, the Yorkshire Evening Post report of Farke’s frustration with Ampadu on the touchline when he played a “needless” ball over the top for Sam Byram, which saw Farke hold his arms aloft at Ampadu.
Who starts at centre-back against Stoke City on Boxing Day?
With Struijk on the bench against Oxford, you imagine he will come back into the starting line-up when The Whites go to Stoke on the 26th. He and Joe Rodon have been near-impenetrable throughout.
That means Farke will have a decision to make regarding Ampadu. Does he relegate Ampadu to the sub’s bench and keep him ticking over until he’s ready to start in midfield – or does he throw him straight in?
Away from home, Leeds have lacked the toughness and that bite in the middle of the park with Ao Tanaka and Joe Rothwell. Ampadu brings that back in, even if Leeds lose a bit of technical ability and creation.
Against Stoke, given Leeds’ away form – three wins in 10 – they have got to risk Ampadu and try to rid themselves of this poor form when not playing at Elland Road. Having Ampadu in the side helps that.
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