Leeds United: ‘Huge’ for Wales as Ethan Ampadu view shared live on talkSPORT
It’s “huge” for Wales that Ethan Ampadu is being played as a central midfielder with Leeds United, according to Laurence Mora.
Ampadu, 23, joined the Whites from Chelsea in the summer after spending the early years of his career playing in all sorts of positions for all sorts of clubs.
But now he’s finally settled down at Elland Road and settled in well in Daniel Farke’s midfield.
Wales are close to failing to qualify for the 2024 European Championships, with many pointing to how many key players they’ve lost in recent years.
While Gareth Bale is arguably the most high-profile, Scott Minto has pointed out that Joe Allen’s retirement has also caused issues.
Speaking on talkSPORT (03:44pm), Minto said: “Ethan Ampadu is obviously a very good player and it’s good to see him getting minutes in a Leeds United shirt but [Allen] is another player Wales relied upon for many years and not able to now.”
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Mora said: “Ampadu has gone to Leeds and he’s now playing as a central midfielder. And that has been huge for Wales.
“Hopefully we see Ethan over the next couple of years. 23 years old and he’s already got 45 caps to his name – it’s incredible.”
Incredible, indeed
How good has Ampadu been this season?
It was always a coup for Leeds to sign the former Chelsea midfielder, who had been farmed out on loan over and over again by the Stamford Bridge club.
Ampadu joined the Whites in the summer with 60 Serie A appearances, 26 Premier League appearances and over 40 senior international caps to his name.
He was also 22 when he joined so how many 22-year-olds can boast that kind of CV?
It’s really no shock to see Ampadu take to life at Elland Road like a duck to water but we’ll have to be careful next summer because if we don’t win promotion, there’ll no doubt be clubs in the Premier League trying to sign the Exeter-born ace, who can play almost anywhere.
For Wales, it’ll be disappointing for Ampadu, Joe Rodon and Daniel James if they don’t qualify for the Euros but unfortunately, it seems unlikely now.
In other Leeds United news, a BBC Sport pundit has slammed an Elland Road star after his first half in an international performance.
