Chris Coleman compares Leeds United signing Ethan Ampadu to Champions League winner
Former Premier League manager Chris Coleman has compared new Leeds United signing Ethan Ampadu to ex-Elland Road star Rio Ferdinand.
The Whites confirmed the capture of the Welsh international on a four-year deal from Chelsea today (19 July), with the club paying a reported £7million plus add-ons.
Speaking to LeedsLive, ex-Wales boss Coleman, who handed the 22-year-old his international debut, said he is capable of playing both in midfield and defence due to his “frame, athleticism and understanding of the game”, while also drawing similarities to Ferdinand.
“He’s a great communicator for someone so young,” added Coleman. “So at the moment, his best position is a tough one to call. He could end up playing holding midfielder or as a centre-back. He’s got a long way to go before you can liken him to someone like Rio Ferdinand, but I remember him coming on at West Ham in midfield.
“But he gravitated into a centre-back, probably the best the Premier League has seen in the last 20 years. You never know what’s going to happen in the future, but Ethan is definitely capable of playing both positions. The modern-day centre-back starts play and has to be confident in possession and Ethan can do that.”
Statement
It’s a huge statement from Coleman to draw similarities in Ampadu’s game to Ferdinand after the former Leeds man played 81 games for England and won a Champions League at club level.
The former Wales boss is probably a bit biased after handing the player his international debut and seeing him develop in recent years, but if he can go on to have half as good a career as the centre-back, it will have been a highly successful one.
All the noise coming out of the people that know Ampadu best is extremely encouraging for the Whites, though, and everyone at the club will be looking forward to seeing him in action.
The deal to bring him in from Chelsea is also a statement, given that he’s played 44 times for Wales and has earned great experience out on loan in Serie A over the past couple of seasons – making 60 appearances for Venezia and Spezia.
Ampadu will now be looking to back up all the praise he’s received as he hopes to play a key role in Leeds’ bid to earn promotion back to the Premier League next season.
In other Leeds United news, Andrea Radrizzani has been called out for his recent Elland Road claims.