£10m Leeds United star’s Everton masterclass proves he deserves title Daniel Farke gave him

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After Leeds United kicked off their Premier League campaign last night with a bang, one particular player stood out at Elland Road.

Leeds United beat Everton 1 – 0, ending the 17- year curse of the Championship winner loosing their opening fixture.

All of the Leeds squad quite arguably had a good game, with Lukas Nmecha stepping up to take the penalty and Gabriel Gudmundsson making eight defensive contributions and six recoveries.

But one player truly did put on a stellar display, even Jamie Carragher praised this Leeds United player as the ‘best player on the pitch.’ 

He was crucial and produced an impressive performance for the Whites, and showed he deserves the title manager Daniel Farke bestowed on him.

Ethan Ampadu proves he is Leeds United’s true captain

Ethan Ampadu arrived at Leeds United on July 19, 2023, from Chelsea. He had previously been at Chelsea since 2017, but spent the last four seasons on loan at RB Leipzig, Sheffield United, Venezia, and Spezia.

Since joining Leeds, Ampadu has become a key player and the club’s captain, and he was nothing short of a colossus during their hard-fought 1-0 victory over Everton last night.

The captain was central to their team’s fortunes in every sense, providing a commanding presence at the heart of the midfield.

Ampadu was in the thick of the action from the first whistle, serving as an organiser and his tenacity was on full display with a crucial, crunching tackle on Everton’s Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall.

Beyond his defensive grit, his long throws were a consistent threat, causing chaos in the Everton penalty area, while his passing was sharp and effective.

Ampadu’s tireless efforts no doubt resonated with the Elland Road faithful, and their appreciation for their captain was palpable.

Despite worries Ampadu may have been injured after a bad tackle from Everton’s Tim Iroegbunam, he powered on until he was substituted at 78 minutes.

The incident caused immediate concern as it was a knee injury that kept him out for over two months last season.

Therefore, any setback to that area is a major cause for worry, with fans hoping for a speedy recovery and no long-term damage.

Ethan Ampadu’s game versus Everton in statistics

His 78 minutes played highlight his enduring presence, while the 8.8 km distance covered demonstrates a tireless work ethic, showing he was constantly moving to impact the game.

This impressive ground coverage is backed by a top speed of 31.5 km/h, proving his athleticism in both attacking and defensive transitions.

Crucially, his passing accuracy of 81% (50/62) showcases his composure and reliability in possession, allowing Leeds to control the midfield.

His defensive contributions, with four key interventions and two recoveries, were vital in breaking up Everton’s attacks and winning the ball back for his team.

These stats paint a picture of a player who was not only energetic and athletic but also technically proficient and defensively sound, underpinning Leeds’ hard-fought victory.