Ethan Ampadu reveals candid opinion of midfield partner amid mentor pledge – YEP 3/10/23

-

Leeds United midfielder Ethan Ampadu has offered his thoughts on fellow midfielder Archie Gray with the pair having struck up a budding partnership at the beginning of the 2023/24 season.

By Joe Donnohue

Ampadu and Gray have started all but two of Leeds’ nine Championship fixtures at the heart of midfield this season. In total, the young duo have been named in Daniel Farke’s line-up on ten occasions. This is despite Gray only making his professional debut in the season opener against Cardiff City, and Ampadu signing for the club back in July.

Both have impressed with their comfort in possession, positional discipline and tenacity in retrieving the ball – aspects which resonate well with the Elland Road crowd.

Speaking to SkyBet, as quoted by The 72, Ampadu discussed his partnership with 17-year-old Gray who has adapted to the senior game with aplomb.

"I’ve been very impressed,” the Welsh international said. “Me and him get on quite well. He’s young, but he doesn’t play like a young man, he’s experienced. I don’t want to speak too much of him because he’ll probably get too excited about it!”

Gray’s midfield partner is well-placed to comment on the experience of being thrown into senior football at such a young age. Ampadu made his professional debut for local side Exeter City at the age of 15, before going on to make his Chelsea bow at just 17 years and six days old. Shortly thereafter, Ampadu made his senior international debut for Wales, several months before his 18th birthday.

While Gray is some way off international recognition, Ampadu believes the teen has potential that can be honed at such a ‘great club’.

“His performances have shown everyone what he can do but he also knows that he’s still at the start of his career and he’s still got a long way to go.

"Anything I can do to try and help him with that I will,” Ampadu pledged.

Popular posts from this blog

Jack Clarke stance on Leeds return revealed as Sunderland offer rejected — Football Insider 19/8/24

-
Wayne Veysey Leeds United could re-sign Jack Clarke this month in a sensational move after the forward rejected a new contract at Sunderland, sources have told Football Insider. Leeds are in the market for a proven forward before the transfer window closes after Crysencio Summerville’s exit and Georginio Rutter’s soon-to-be-completed Brighton move. The west Yorkshire giants have registered an interest in the 23-year-old, but Southampton are also keen on signing him. West Ham had been interested in Clarke back in January but have not followed up on that since then. Clarke graduated from Leeds United’s academy and played for the club until 2019 when he signed for Tottenham Hotspur. The forward is under contract at the Stadium Of Light until 2026. Daniel Farke wants to add a proven forward to his squad in this window after losing two of his most creative sources. Clarke is an experienced winger who could be put straight into the starting lineup and does have the knowledge
Read more

The huge initial fee Leeds are set to receive for Crysencio Summerville’s move to West Ham — Leeds United News 31/7/24

-
Will Butcher West Ham United are closing in on a deal to sign Crysencio Summerville from Leeds United, and Ben Jacobs has shared how much Leeds will receive for the Dutchman. The 22-year-old has been strongly linked with the Elland Road exit door all summer and was targeted as the one big sale Leeds needed to make before the Profit & Sustainability Rules deadline this month. But instead, Leeds sold Archie Gray for £40m to Tottenham. Leeds have since sold five more players in the form of Diego Llorente, Marc Roca, Kris Klaesson and Charlie Cresswell – raking in around £60m in total. But more exits were always likely and Fabrizio Romano reported on Wednesday afternoon that West Ham had agreed personal terms with Summerville, and talks for a fee were ongoing with the Yorkshire side. Now, the story has moved on with multiple sources claiming a deal is done between Leeds and Angus Kinnear’s old club. The Dutchman is expected to sign a five-year at the London Stadium, until Jun
Read more

Leeds United board break silence after transfer window with statement on upcoming Elland Road development — YEP 2/9/24

-
By Joe Donnohue Leeds United have confirmed supporters' commemorative stones at Elland Road's Centenary Square will be replaced free of charge in a bid to improve their longevity. Beginning next month, Leeds supporters' personalised stones will be replaced with exact replicas, courtesy of a new company, to ensure of a 'much better quality' installation. The work is expected to take around two months to complete. An official club statement confirmed 'three larger stones dedicated to former managers Don Revie, Howard Wilkinson and Marcelo Bielsa' will also be installed, 'similar to those located in Bremner Square', while additional space for supporters to purchase new stones has also been factored into the project. “The club have taken on board recent feedback from supporters on the stones at Centenary Square, and we are really happy that we can now announce that all of the stones will be replaced," chief executive Angus Kinnear confirmed,
Read more