Leeds United react to Ethan Ampadu business after £20m+ Chelsea transfer argument
Leeds United believe they got a “really good deal” for Ethan Ampadu after his move to Elland Road from Chelsea in the summer, according to The Athletic’s Simon Johnson.
The 23-year-old has started all 30 of Leeds’ matches this season, including 27 Championship appearances as the Whites aim for Premier League promotion after being relegated in May.
Having signed from Exeter City in 2017, Amapdu made just 12 senior appearances for the Blues and faced several loan spells away from Stamford Bridge. Leeds paid just £7million for the midfielder in the summer and are reaping the rewards so far.
“Leeds feel like they got a really good deal, and it is hard to argue to the contrary,” Johnson wrote for The Athletic on Wednesday (17 January).
“When you consider Chelsea spent £23.5million last summer on Lesley Ugochukwu, who has shown little to justify that fee as yet, questions could be asked whether they would have been better off giving Ampadu a chance instead.”
Plan for the future
Joining his Wales teammates, Joe Rodon and Dan James, at Elland Road in the summer, there were concerns that Leeds might be splashing the cash on a player who has faced relegation with Sheffield United, Venezia and Spezia in consecutive seasons.
However, the midfielder has now proven his capabilities in the Championship, being given a long run of games by Daniel Farke. He even deputised at centre-back during Leeds’ 3-0 victory over Cardiff City.
The 23-year-old has created a formidable partnership with former Rangers star Glen Kamara in the middle of the park, helping Leeds to a current fourth-place standing in the league and to progress to the FA Cup Fourth Round.
For just £7million, Leeds have signed a midfielder for the future for an absolute bargain, especially considering his number of international caps. He has already racked up 49 caps for Wales and also has World Cup and Euro appearances on his CV.
Unless another team decide to poach him, and they might do at some point, Leeds are set in midfield for the foreseeable future with Ampadu pulling the strings.
In other Leeds United news, the club want to sign a senior Tottenham defender.
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