Ethan Ampadu mocked by Belgian attacker Daan Heymans on Instagram after Leeds United v Cardiff City
Ethan Ampadu has been mocked online by Belgian attacker Daan Heymans as Leeds United drew 2-2 with Cardiff on the weekend.
Taking to Instagram (6 August), the current Charleroi player made fun of Leeds’ new defender by laughing at the fact he got a late yellow card on his competitive debut for his new club.
The pair shared a club during Ampadu’s loan spell to the Italian side Venezia in 2021/22, where he picked up 13 overall yellow cards and a red card [Transfermarkt] and seemingly earnt himself a reputation of being too familiar with referees.
On Instagram, Heymans said: “Another yellow?.”
Susceptible
While Heyman’s joke on Instagram was obviously a light-hearted dig at a former teammate, it does highlight this aspect of the Welshman’s game.
Leeds had to fight hard to get a point against Cardiff City on Sunday (7 August), with Ampadu starting the game but concerning twice.
It would take a late Crysencio Summerville equaliser and Liam Cooper’s second-half strike for Daniel Farke to escape his Leeds debut without a loss, but Ampadu managed to get himself in the ref’s book in the 93rd minute.
While defensive players may have to put in a rough tackle, especially at that stage of a game Leeds were chasing, Ampadu has always been susceptible to a booking and should be wary ahead of this season.
While at Spezia last season, he picked up 10 yellows in 31 games, showing that the youngster is developing a habit of committing too many fouls.
This is quite common for younger players and it is likely something Ampadu would work on as he continues his development at Leeds under Farke.
Leeds will not want to lose him from the side however, and his new position as a central defensive midfielder makes him at risk of being forced into making a foul.
While Leeds fans are excited to see what the Welshman can bring, they will keep an eye on his tackles from now on.
In other Leeds United news, the Whites reportedly have a strong interest in an out-of-form West Brom winger this summer.