Leeds United: Wales boss Rob Page raves about Ethan Ampadu after Elland Road visits
Rob Page has tipped “exceptional” Ethan Ampadu as a future Wales captain after watching the versatile ace up close for Leeds United this term.
Wales manager Page has been keeping a close eye on Leeds this season due to their large Dragons contingent, Ampadu being among them.
Ampadu is comfortable playing in holding midfield or centre-back and has showed his leadership qualities by captaining the side at times.
Speaking ahead of Wales’ Euro 2024 qualifying play-off with Finland, as per BBC Sport [16 March], Page said: “He’s a great lad, very humble, doesn’t get carried away and he’s a model pro on and off the pitch.
“He’s a future Wales captain, 100%, he’s already captain of Leeds, a big club. They wouldn’t have given it to him if they didn’t think he could cope with it. I know him a bit better and I can see why he’s taken it so well and he’ll enjoy it.
“Ethan and Joe [Rodon] have been exceptional this season. I’ve been to Leeds quite a bit and they’ve been outstanding. When you’ve got someone like Ethan who can play a multitude of positions, he’s a great asset to the team.”
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Ampadu has played 37 matches for Leeds United in the Championship this season and has started each of those – a team high in both categories.
Indeed, his 3,328 minutes on the field ahead of the Millwall match is 216 more than next-best Illan Meslier [FBref].
The former Chelsea player has been quite the signing, as many predicted, and looks as though he will only get better with time.
Ampadu has been selected in Wales’ latest squad for their crucial Euro 2024 play-off – or play-offs – and is nailed on to start for his country if fit.
Despite still being aged just 23, Ampadu has already earned 49 caps for Wales at senior level and looks set to smash the all-time appearance record.
Page is not wrong in saying Ampadu is an “exceptional” player, while international colleagues Rodon, Daniel James and now Connor Roberts have also shone for Leeds.
Each of those will be busy over the international break, but hopefully they can first sign off for Leeds with a victory over Millwall – which several players could yet miss – at Elland Road on Sunday (17 March).
In other Leeds United news, Darren Bent shared a surprise prediction on who he expects to earn promotion to the Premier League.
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