Before Leeds United’s trip to Championship rivals Hull City, one of Daniel Farke’s summer additions has been praised.
Has been Leeds’ summer signing?
Daniel Farke has made an early impact for Leeds United after joining early in the transfer window – has he been the Yorkshire club’s purchase of the summer?
Ethan Ampadu was a huge coup for Leeds United this summer, arriving early in the transfer window for a cost of roughly £7 million and many considered him as the inevitable successor for Tyler Adams, who was still on the way out.
Those who saw Adams as a successor were proven correct late in the transfer window, as Adams earned a permanent move away to Bournemouth in his pursuit of Premier League play.
While Adams didn’t have much of an opportunity last season due to injury, many Leeds fans saw his skill and questioned if Ampadu could fill his shoes in the holding midfield role.
The start of the season has demonstrated that Ampadu is a worthy substitute and, in some ways, an improvement over the departed American.
Natural Collaboration
Playing for a new team is frequently a challenging transition. However, Ampadu, who has spent much of his career bouncing about on loan, appears to have swiftly built an understanding with his colleagues.
So far this season, Archie Grey has been his preferred midfield partner, and the duo have swiftly discovered ways to complement their opposing approaches on the game. Ampadu is far more defensively minded than Grey, giving the combination a sense of steadiness while controlling the heart of the pitch.
The Welshman, who has 46 caps, has shown his great knowledge at such a young age by reading games and making crucial interceptions. As a result, Grey has been able to drive forward up the pitch and generate chances for Leeds’ fast-paced assault.
Developing such an understanding so soon, especially with such a young and inexperienced midfield partner in Grey, demonstrates Ampadu’s attitude and tactical awareness – something Daniel Farke will be thrilled to see in such an important section of the pitch.
Connection to Wales
Last season, much was made of Leeds’ American influence on the pitch, an experiment that did not end well for the Whites after relegation. This season, however, there is a definite Welsh core in the team, thanks to the return of Daniel James from Fulham and the arrival of Joe Rodon from Tottenham.
This appears to be working well for Leeds at the moment, and it might be one of the main reasons Ampadu has been able to settle in fast and contribute to the squad.
Having played internationally alongside James and Rodon, their on-field chemistry appears to be transferring. His relationship with Rodon, in particular, appears to have bolstered a defence that was notoriously leaky last season, with Leeds having kept two clean sheets in the past two games.
Where can I call home?
Ampadu has spent the most of his career on loan, with his previous club Chelsea loaning him out to clubs such as Sheffield United, Venezia, and Spezia.
As a result, the prospect of a permanent move to a club with a clear strategy and vision for his role in the squad may have been a determining factor in his decision to move to Leeds. £7 million is a reasonable cost for a man with so much international experience, and Leeds appear to be reaping the benefits of their trust in the player.
Ampadu, who is only 23, has a lot of his career ahead of him, and Leeds United will be hoping that they can grow alongside him, as he is definitely destined for the top flight of English football.
At the moment, it appears like Leeds’ expansion will continue, with the club strengthening other vital areas of the pitch and now having the form to back it up. If Ampadu continues to produce at the level he has shown in the early stages of this season, he and Leeds may be a match made in heaven.
