Leeds United spent over £100 million in the summer, adding quality to the team ahead of their Premier League return. Fans knew that new arrivals would mean some players from last season would be casualties.
And it ended up being so as some of the big money signings came right into the starting lineup from the first game of the season. Joel Piroe is now a bench option, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Lukas Nmecha ahead of him, and Illan Meslier is now the third choice goalkeeper.
One area of the pitch the club did well to augment was the midfield. Sources claim Daniel Farke wanted some physicality in the middle of the park to cope with Premier League football, so Anton Stach and Sean Longstaff were signed. As the season has gone on, the club’s core of midfielders have played an important role in the team’s success on the pitch. Anton Stach and Sean Longstaff brought the intensity, while players like Ethan Ampadu and Ilia Gruev have a more calming influence on the ball.
Leeds United confident of Ethan Ampadu new deal
A player who deserves all the credit this season has been Leeds United’s captain. Ethan Ampadu has not looked out of place since the season began. At the level he is playing at, his is currently statistically among the best midfielders in the league. His ability to be an all-rounder in midfield while providing stability has been a big plus to Daniel Farke and the team.
| Statistic | Percentile Rank |
|---|---|
| Successful passes | 86th |
| Duels won | 88th |
| Tackles | 89th |
| Interceptions | 95th |
| Ball recoveries | 87th |
TEAMtalk are reporting that Leeds are very confident that their captain will sign a new deal at Elland Road. His current contract is up in the next 12 months, and the 49ers are desperate not to lose him. The timing is very crucial, as this summer could see some clubs test the waters with some transfer offers. But Leeds will want to keep him long term, and are working behind the scenes.
Midfielder has become a huge part of the club
Before Leeds United, Ethan Ampadu was spending every other season on loan at a different club away from Chelsea. But since he arrived at Elland Road, he has found a real home among the fans. He quickly earned plaudits with his performances on the pitch, and his leadership was rewarded with the responsibility of captaincy. Ampadu has become a very big part of the club, and the ownership are aware of this. This is why they want to tie him down long term as the 49ers also have a lot of plans for the near future.
