Phil Hay shares Ethan Ampadu ideal position at Leeds United after he joins from Chelsea
Phil Hay has made a claim on Ethan Ampadu’s position at Leeds United after he completed his move to Elland Road from Chelsea.
According to the Athletic journalist [19 July], Daniel Farke is expected to focus on playing the 22-year-old as a midfielder over a centre-back.
Tyler Adams’ future remains undecided but despite that, the Welshman is likely to be deployed in the middle of the park.
Hay wrote, “United are still not certain if Tyler Adams — someone Ampadu knows from his year at Leipzig — will be with them beyond the end of the transfer window and, having allowed Marc Roca to join Real Betis, the centre of midfield is one area where places are there to be had.
“While Farke is expected to focus on playing Ampadu there, he is believed to be keeping an open mind about using him as a defender in certain circumstances. Leeds like the fact he has the ability to handle more than one position.”
Good deal
While Ampadu can play in midfield, he’s played a lot in central defence recently and that looked to be his favoured role.
However, if Farke sees him as a midfielder and the scouts believe he’s capable of that role, then it will be interesting to see how he fares there.
It’s evident that Leeds lack numbers in defence as well as midfield so he could’ve ideally been signed to fill any of the two roles.
His versatility appears to be one of the key deciding factors in getting him to Elland Road and it’s now on him to show he’s worth the outlay.
At 22, he’s still got his best years ahead of him, so this could prove to be a value-for-money signing for the Whites.
He will only get better and given his leadership abilities, it will not be a major surprise to see him with the armband in the next five years.