Leeds struck gold on £40k p/w “Destroyer,” who’s worth more than Summerville
Leeds United survived a scare in Devon to eventually overcome Plymouth Argyle 4-1 in the FA Cup on Wednesday night, needing extra time in the replay at Home Park to score three goals to return to West Yorkshire victorious.
The win was managed even with Ethan Ampadu sitting out, the rock-solid Whites first-team figure given a well-deserved rest after a stellar season to date in the Championship.
Essential to Leeds’ cause as a defensive midfielder when needed and as a center-back when needed, Ampadu’s arrival has paid off handsomely for both the second-tier team and Leeds, who will now feel as though they have finally found a home for their football team at Elland Road.
The signing of Ethan Ampadu
Landing Ampadu last summer for £7 million might well have raised some eyebrows in Leeds quarters. The 23-year-old finally leaving Chelsea behind after an up-and-down time at Stamford Bridge often involved the 6-foot star being stuck in a constant loop of loans.
Featuring the likes of Sheffield United on loan, alongside more left-field switches to Italy with Venezia and Spezia, Leeds hoped they had struck gold by being able to tie Ampadu down to a permanent deal.
The transfer now does look like an absolute masterstroke from Farke and Co., with Ampadu arguably one of the first names on the German manager’s teamsheet whenever he’s deliberating on his next chosen XI.
Playing every single minute this season in the Championship for Leeds, Ampadu’s passing ability playing out from deep alongside his knack for successfully launching into tackles and duels unphased is a terrifying combo for opponents to manage.
Creating four big chances this season too, when helping out in attacks, it’s no surprise to see that Ampadu’s market value has skyrocketed since leaving Chelsea behind for Elland Road.
Joining the club for £7m only a matter of months ago, Ampadu is now worth more than double that with Leeds overjoyed as to how well their Welshman has done since moving to West Yorkshire.
Ethan Ampadu’s increased value at Leeds
Leeds will be extremely pleased with their original investment given that the commanding figure of Ampadu now has a transfer value of €18.5m (£15.7m), according to Football Transfers. According to the website’s predicted transfer value model, that actually happens to be more than the silky Crysencio Summerville, with the Dutchman resting at £8.4m.
It’s likely that a significant amount of money would need to be paid by either side to evict the child from Elland Road. In any case, the Whites would never try to turn a profit on their £40k-a-week player and let him go again,, given how important Ampadu’s presence in the locker room will be to achieving possible automatic promotion triumph.
Ampadu and the similarly formidable Joe Rodon at the centre of defence against Bristol City in Leeds’ most recent Championship matchup proved to be a formidable combination.
Blocking two shots in the contest to enable the Whites to pick up a clean sheet—their 12th of the Championship season already—the Welshman was also equally composed with the ball at his feet when the pressure was ramped up with 93 touches in total at Ashton Gate.
Leeds will have their fingers crossed that Ampadu – who was once described as a “destroyer” by football journalist Graham Smyth this campaign – continues to put in standout displays on the way to Whites rocking up more and more victories.
Even if Ampadu’s trying time at Chelsea had left him feeling unwelcome and without confidence, he might very well be a Premier League defender next season. He’s now an essential part of Farke’s Leeds machine.