Sky Sports pundit blown away by ‘masterful’ Ethan Ampadu for Leeds United in win at Leicester City
Don Goodman was delighted by the “masterful ball” that Ethan Ampadu produced for Leeds United to find teammate Sam Byram against in the 1-0 win against Leicester City.
The Sky Sports pundit reacted live on the match commentary in the opening quarter of an hour on 3 November when the Welsh midfielder sprayed a wonderful long pass down the left flank for the onrushing full-back, with only a last-ditch interception from Ricardo Pereira thwarting a dangerous opportunity.
Goodman was full of praise for the “excellent” Welsh international’s all-round game for the Whites but was particularly impressed by the range he displayed early at the King Power.
Goodman said (8.13pm): “He’s been excellent. He spoke earlier in the week about finding a home. Sometimes you need a home and a base.
“He knows that he’s not going out on loan and hopefully Leeds United can keep him here for many, many years to come.
“Not only when they don’t have the ball is he positionally brilliant in terms of interceptions and tackles but he can do things like this.
“Spots the run, a masterful ball.”
Money’s worth
The first buy this summer for £7million from Chelsea [BBC Sport, 7 July] could easily turn out to be the signing of the season at Leeds United, if not the entire Championship, if he keeps up his current form.
He may not grab the attention quite like the dynamism of Crysencio Summerville or Georginio Rutter does but he is every bit as important to Daniel Farke.
The fact that he has been an ever-present in the league this season demonstrates that, with his offensive and defensive contributions key.
Considering Ampadu was signed at a point when the entire set of senior midfield options from last season had departed and only teenager Archie Gray, at that point still yet to make his first-team debut, was available he has locked down a position that was looking like a problem.
Gray’s emergence as a regular feature and the addition of Glen Kamara have meant there has proven to be little to worry about in the centre of the line up.
But while the other two have rotated and fellow new signing Ilia Gruev has also been given a chance it all starts with Ampadu who Farke hasn’t dared remove from the side in the Championship.
In other Leeds United news, a key man has “knuckled down massively” after questions over his attitude says Phil Hay.