Credit: Imago

James Barker

Mon 16 March 2026 12:40, UK Updated Mon 16 March 2026 13:53, UK

Ethan Ampadu was on top form as Leeds United boosted their Premier League survival chances with a goalless draw at Selhurst Park on Sunday.

Daniel Farke’s side came into Sunday’s game against Palace off the back of a 3-0 FA Cup win over Norwich City, but having lost back-to-back Premier League games against Sunderland and Man City.

As a result, Leeds had been sucked into the relegation battle even further, with no league win under their belts since the 3-1 victory over Nottingham Forest on 6 February.

So, whilst Leeds’ 0-0 draw with Crystal Palace wasn’t the three points the Whites were hoping for, Gabriel Gudmundsson’s red card just before half-time meant that it was a point Farke will take all day long.

Ethan Ampadu was brilliant for Leeds in Crystal Palace draw

Ampadu has been a top signing for Leeds ever since joining from Chelsea in the summer of 2023.

The Welsh international has played across midfield and defence, and has seldom dropped below a seven out of 10 most weeks during his Elland Road stint so far.

As such, it’s been no surprise to see him evolve into one of Leeds’ best and most important players in the Premier League this season, but his performance against Crystal Palace was right up there with his very best.

As per Sofascore, Ampadu made nine defensive contributions, won all seven of his ground duels as well as five out his seven aerial duels, and won all of his three tackle attempts too.

He wasn’t dribbled past once at Selhurst Park, whilst also making three recoveries, two interceptions, two blocked shots and even registered a shot on the Palace goal himself.

In short, Ampadu was absolutely everywhere for Leeds on Sunday, as he put on a display that proved he’s a top-quality player at Premier League level.

Leeds should build midfield of the future around Ampadu

Contracted until the summer of 2027, Leeds should make handing Ampadu a long-term extension one of their top priorities this summer.

Still only 25-years old, the versatile midfielder is an integral part of the team, not just for the qualities he brings on the pitch, but also his leadership and role in the dressing room too.

He’s a big character at Elland Road, and only just entering the prime years of his career, he has to be a player that Leeds chiefs pinpoint as a foundational cornerstone piece to their Premier League squad of the future.

He and Anton Stach were excellent as a central midfield pairing at Selhurst Park, and that looks like being a formidable engine room partnership for many years to come.

Having a strong core in the middle of the park is essential to building any successful team, and Leeds certainly have that with the likes of Ampadu and Stach, with it now just being a case of putting the right pieces in around them moving forward.