With Ethan Ampadu injured, Daniel Farke must find a suitable replacement for tonight’s major game.
Leeds United are finally facing the actual trials of the Championship, as their fixture calendar is starting to mount up, with tonight’s midweek encounter only one of three in the next seven days…
Given his experience negotiating two promotions from the division, Daniel Farke will be well-versed in such a demanding timetable, and he will most likely have his rotation figured out well in advance.
However, that might have been thwarted by Ethan Ampadu’s injury.
Who might step in for Ethan Ampadu?
In a recent press conference, the manager addressed the injury: “Got a knock. There are always questions with a rapid turnaround, but it does not appear to be too problematic. In just 24 hours, I’ve made significant progress. He is Welsh, and as such, he should be tough.”
Despite the fact that it is not a long-term injury, it is a huge setback for a team that had become relied on his calming and aggressive midfield exploits throughout the early season.
The Wales international is likely to be excluded just to avoid an aggravation, despite his 7.28 average Sofascore rating, which ranks him as their fifth-best performer.
There are a number of prospective alternatives for Archie Gray, ranging from the brilliant youngster Darko Gyabi to their Deadline Day purchase Ilia Gruev. However, there is one standout alternative that should not be neglected.
Glen Kamara, how excellent is he?
Glen Kamara, who joined from Rangers on the same day as the Bulgarian general, was a wise signing for a Championship club.
The Finland international has a lot of top-flight experience, including a handful of European outings, but has yet to get his first start for the club due to the outstanding performances of the two aforementioned midfielders.
However, with this new opportunity, the 27-year-old might be on his way to cementing his first-team spot if he can replicate his success from the 2021/22 Scottish Premiership season.
The all-action £21k-a-week enforcer would score three, assist three, and maintain a 91% pass accuracy while averaging 1.3 key passes and one tackle per game that season, according to Sofascore.
He certainly lived up to Steven Gerrard’s expectations, who had earmarked him for a bright future at Elland Road: “He looked like a Rangers player, and he carried that performance into the Kilmarnock game and raised it a notch.” He’s a fantastic possession player, constantly playing with his head up and seeking to score.
“But what pleased me the most is what I mentioned when we signed him about how he’ll be out of possession.” Will he be aggressive, work hard for the team, and be a monster in the center of the park? He showed flashes of it against Kilmarnock, and he has the potential to become a top midfielder.”
When compared to Ampadu’s start to the season, it’s evident that the 22-year-old sacrifices attacking output for a more stable foundation. According to Sofascore, the Welshman has complemented his 85% throw accuracy with 2.3 tackles and 7.5 ball recoveries per game.
Farke will be hoping that Gray can provide a stronger defensive performance in order to get the most out of Kamara as they look to overcome a difficult task away to Hull City and capture another critical victory.
