New Leeds United signing on best position and fitness update ahead of Whites opener - YEP 21/7/23
New Leeds United recruit Ethan Ampadu has sent a clear message to Whites boss Daniel Farke on his best position and a fitness update ahead of the season opener.
By Lee Sobot
Ampadu has become United’s first signing of the summer in
joining the club from Chelsea for around £7m, penning terms on a four-year deal
at Elland Road. The 22-year-old already has 43 Wales caps to his name, plus
bags of experience upon four loan spells away from Stamford Bridge at RB
Leipzig, Sheffield United, Venezia and Spezia plus 12 appearances for the
Blues.
The new Whites recruit has operated as both a holding
midfielder centre-back during his development so far and says his “best”
position is usually the one in which he has most recently been deployed in.
Ampadu, though, says he will take on the challenge of operating wherever new
boss Daniel Farke chooses to play him and is ultimately happy to play either in
the Whites midfield or defence.
"I have always said, I have been quite biased when I
say this, if I have been playing as a defender recently I will probably say
defender,” said Ampadu about his favoured position to LUTV. "But for me I
am just comfortable playing in both. I know I have to improve in both so
wherever the boss will need me I am happy to play but I am comfortable in both
positions."
Ampadu has joined Leeds with just over two weeks remaining
until the start of the new Championship campaign which will begin with a home
clash against Cardiff City for Farke’s Whites. Wales international Ampadu is
champing at the bit ahead of that fixture, declaring that he is already feeling
fit ahead of the new campaign.
"Definitely," said the new signing. “Raring to
go."
