Leeds United star Ethan Ampadu earns rave review live on BBC despite Wales loss v Slovakia
Leeds United star Ethan Ampadu earned a rave review from Nathan Blake live on the BBC despite Wales losing 4-0 away in Slovakia.
Ampadu was the unfortunate scorer of an own goal, with Lukas Haraslin’s volley deflecting in off him on the hour mark.
Blake, however, was impressed with what he saw of the Leeds player before that point.
Speaking live on BBC Sport (9 June), he said: “I do love the poise of Ethan Ampadu, for someone so young he has really learned his trade well. He just looks so accomplished.”
How good has Ethan Ampadu been for Leeds United?
Ampadu has undoubtedly been one of Leeds’ best performers since his arrival last summer.
The versatile Welshman spent the first half of the 2023/24 season as the Whites’ midfield lynchpin before dropping back to fill in for the injured Pascal Struijk in central defence and forming a superb partnership with loanee Joe Rodon.
Not only was he central to almost everything Daniel Farke wanted Leeds to do with the ball, playing 2,913 successful passes in the Championship last season, but his passing was more creative than would be expected of a defensive player – he created 36 chances and generated 3.59 xA (expected assists) [FotMob].
Defensively, he was superb, making 319 recoveries and even winning possession 12 times in the final third.
Assured displays for Wales are likely to become commonplace for a player who has grown immeasurably in stature since moving to Elland Road.
In other Leeds United news, the Whites are set to repeat a costly transfer error amid exit rumours.
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