Jordan James awestruck by ‘brilliant’ Ethan Ampadu, tips Leeds United star for national team honour
Jordan James has tipped Leeds United midfielder Ethan Ampadu to captain Wales one day after the leadership skills he has shown.
Speaking ahead of his country’s upcoming European Championships qualifiers against Armenia and Turkey on Tuesday (14 November, via LeedsLive), the Birmingham City midfielder said he “clicked” with the 23-year-old from the first time they played together.
The 19-year-old added that the Whites midfielder is a “brilliant player” and that he studies his playing style because he’s at a level he wants to reach in the future.
“It’s been great,” said James. “As soon as I played with him the first time, we just clicked. We just work off each other, I think you saw that against Croatia. When we didn’t have possession, we were solid, we did our job and that’s the main thing.
“Ethan is a brilliant player and it’s very easy to play with him. I see him as a leader and I study how he plays because he’s somewhere I want to get to. I could see him being captain one day.”
Quality operator
There is no doubt that Ampadu is a quality operator in the way he conducts himself on and off the pitch and he is a real leader.
Although he is only a few years older than James, it’s clear that the Birmingham midfielder looks up to him and wants to emulate him in the future.
The Welshman has nailed down a place in the national team side and has played an integral role in the recent success they have achieved.
He has also been a vital cog in the Leeds midfield this season after making the move to Elland from Chelsea during the summer transfer window.
He will be looking to continue making progress for the Whites and at the international level over the next months in a bid to be competing against the best sides for both of those teams in the near future.
In other Leeds United news, a player who snubbed a move to Elland Road has raved about Farke after what he did.