Beren Cross shares joke Ethan Ampadu made about Leeds United gem Charlie Crew
Ethan Ampadu is clearly in a playful mood during the Leeds United pre-season camp after a joke Beren Cross shared involving young team-mate Charlie Crew.
The LeedsLive journalist reported on 23 July that Ampadu told him Crew can’t conduct interviews in English because “it’s Welsh or nothing”, as the 18-year-old midfielder takes part in first-team training.
Crew made his United debut in their first pre-season friendly against Harrogate before the Whites jetted out to Germany for a training camp, with Ampadu’s joke intended to help him integrate his Welsh compatriot with the squad.
Cross also mentioned that defender Joe Rodon said; “keep Chaz away from the media”, as himself, Crew, and Ampadu all chimed in with Welsh-language reporters present at the club’s Germany base.
Welsh contingent expected to make big impact at Leeds United
United ended last season with four full Welsh internationals in their side, and despite loanee Connor Roberts returning to Burnley, will begin the new season with four full Welsh internationals in their side.
That’s after Crew made his full debut for Wales in a 0-0 draw with Gibraltar in June, becoming an international player before his senior bow at club level – though that is expected to change imminently.
Crew’s involvement in the club’s pre-season camp is a sign that he does have a part to play at Elland Road in the coming campaign, alongside his three international team-mates.
While Ampadu, Rodon and Daniel James are expected to be regular starters for Daniel Farke’s side, Crew will no doubt be looking at the impact made by Archie Gray last season before his move to Tottenham.
From his first-team debut in August to a £40million transfer fee the following summer [Graham Smyth, 1 July], Gray has set the bar for maiden Leeds United seasons, but Crew will be keen to pave his own path.
In other Leeds news, an out-of-contract defender is edging closer to finally sealing an exit away from Elland Road.
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