Ethan Ampadu's Championship promotion message to Leeds United squad as injury comeback addressed — YEP 20/1/25
By Kyle Newbould
The Leeds United captain led his side back to the top of the
Championship on Sunday.
Ethan Ampadu knows promotion is by no means a foregone
conclusion with focus inside the Leeds United squad quickly turning to
Wednesday’s game against Norwich City.
Ampadu led his side to an impressive 3-0 win at home to
Sheffield Wednesday on Sunday, with Manor Solomon, Largie Ramazani and Ao
Tanaka ensuring all three points remained in West Yorkshire. The 85-minute
spell between goals one and two was far from comfortable for Daniel Farke’s men
but their quality shone through eventually with impact from the bench and two
excellent finishes.
Victory saw Leeds return to the Championship’s summit,
pulling a point clear of second-placed Sheffield United and, more importantly,
three clear of Burnley in third. But there are still 19 games to play and 57
points up for grabs, with Ampadu under no illusion about what his side still
have to do.
"It was fun and enjoyable," Ampadu told Sky Sports
in the immediate aftermath of Sunday’s win. "We know what derbies are
like. We knew it was going to be big for the fans. We wanted to get our good
run going here. Three crucial points and that's all that matters.
"It's what you want. You want to be fighting for
promotion - and want to be fighting to win a league. We know it's nowhere near
done yet, and there's still going to be ups and downs, but we have got to keep
focused. I don't want to do clichés, but we have got to focus on Wednesday
now.”
Injury to Pascal Struijk saw Ampadu come in at centre-back,
not much less than a year after he dropped into the defensive unit following a
season-ending injury for the Dutchman. Farke’s vice captain is currently out
for three weeks but there is a concern that could be three months if tendon
issues are discovered.
Leeds will ‘stay awake’ in the market and could move for
defensive reinforcements if Struijk’s absence is extended, but Ampadu showed
over a long period last season he is comfortable at the back. The 24-year-old
and Joe Rodon kept another clean sheet upon reuniting to form what Farke
described as his ‘Welsh wall’.
The quality and depth of availability in midfield - Joe
Rothwell and Tanaka were outstanding once again - could see Ampadu re-adopt a
more defensive role up until summer. But the Whites captain is more than happy
to fill whatever gap is needed, particularly after sitting out a large chunk of
the season through injury.