Ethan Ampadu can stake Leeds United captaincy claim after Wales international news
Leeds United star Ethan Ampadu can showcase his credentials to be Daniel Farke’s new captain after being given the armband for Wales’ match against Slovakia.
Wales confirmed on their official X account that Ampadu would lead the side out against Slovakia on Sunday (June 9), in the final match of a long, long season for the 23-year-old.
Ampadu has made 54 appearances for the Whites since arriving at Elland Road last summer, and in the absence of Liam Cooper and Pascal Struijk, captained Leeds for several of those matches.
That included the Championship play-off final against Southampton at Wembley, and with long-time skipper Liam Cooper potentially leaving the club, it could be Ampadu who is given the armband full-time.
Ampadu ready to cement leadership for Leeds and Wales
The Leeds United captaincy has been held full-time by Cooper since 2017; the 32-year-old Scotland international leading the Peacocks into the Premier League as Championship winners in 2020.
However, Cooper has made just 15 league appearances in 2023-24, with Ampadu, Struijk and Joe Rodon preferred by Daniel Farke as the Whites’ first-choice centre-backs.
Leeds released their 2024/25 retained list on June 7, confirming that while Cooper’s contract is heading for expiration, the club are in talks with the defender over agreeing an extension [LeedsLive].
Regardless of if Cooper remains at United next season, he is unlikely to be playing ahead of Ampadu in defence – barring injury – at any point, and with Pascal Struijk missing much of the last campaign, the ever-present Welshman should be given the nod.
Playing every single minute of Leeds’ ultimately unsuccessful Championship campaign – and missing out on the chance of lifting the play-off final trophy alongside Cooper – should stand Ampadu in good stead.
As he leads out his country against Slovakia, Ampadu should be safe in the knowledge that if he stays at Elland Road this summer, the captain’s armband will become a permanent fixture.
In other Leeds United news, the Whites have set their asking price for Charlie Cresswell after a transfer decision was made
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