(Credit: Manh Tung/Breaking Media)

James Barker

Tue 26 May 2026 14:10, UK

Ethan Ampadu has been called up for some international friendlies with Wales, meaning the Leeds United star might not get much of a summer break.

Since signing for Leeds in the summer of 2023, Ampadu has been nothing short of fabulous for the Whites.

Over 120 appearances in three seasons, the versatile midfielder and club captain has become an integral part of Daniel Farke‘s team.

The 25-year-old has arguably just enjoyed his best season yet at Elland Road, starting all 35 of his Premier League appearances in 2025-26 and playing like a top central midfielder in the top flight.

It’s for that reason that an injury to Ampadu would be disastrous for Leeds, but that risk may now have just grown.

Leeds’ Ethan Ampadu called up for Wales friendlies

Speculation is growing over Ampadu signing a new contract, with his current deal set to expire in the summer of 2027.

Given how he played for Leeds this past season, there’s bound to be serious transfer interest in him if terms aren’t agreed soon.

Now that the season has finished, those Leeds players who aren’t going to this summer’s World Cup will be heading off for some well-earned rest.

Ampadu is one of those players, or is he? Wales haven’t qualified for the World Cup, but that doesn’t mean they don’t have games to play this summer.

Indeed, the Dragons have friendlies scheduled against Ghana and Romania on the 2 and 6 June respectively, and Ampadu has been selected as part of Craig Bellamy’s squad for these matches.

Fellow Leeds players Dan James and Karl Darlow respectively have both also been called up to the Welsh squad, meaning Whites fans will have interest in how these friendlies go.

Why Wales need to be sensible with Ampadu in these friendlies

Bellamy will no doubt rotate and experiment with his Wales team in these friendlies, and that should make it unlikely Ampadu plays the full 90 minutes in both.

It’s often customary for international managers to deploy one starting XI in the first friendly and then a completely different one in the second, and that may well be what Bellamy does here.

Regardless of his approach, he needs to be sensible with Ampadu, as the Leeds star played over 3,100 minutes of Premier League football in 2025-26, and is a tireless worker in central midfield.

Therefore, he could really do with his minutes being managed across these two friendlies, as Leeds will want him back for pre-season as sharp and as heavily rested as possible.