Ethan Ampadu couldn’t believe he had been chosen as the man of the match over Leeds United teammate Joel Piroe at Millwall.
When the Dutchman was asked to give him the award (2.06pm) after the game ended on September 17, Ampadu responded live on Sky Sports as follows: “Me? I assumed you got it if you made the goal.
The journey to South London was convincingly won by two goals from Piroe and a third from Georginio Rutter, but the midfielder was named as the team’s top choice by Daniel Farke as the two Whites standouts conducted a combined post-game interview at The Den.
The fact that Djed Spence’s injury, which prevented him from playing in the game, was expected to keep him out for a long time, only served to temper Leeds United’s triumph upon returning from the international break and moving them up to 10th in the Championship.
Money’s worth
The club definitely saw a return on investment at Millwall; although, in the latter case, it came somewhat belatedly. The accolade could have gone to one of the two summer recruits present that day, or perhaps the club’s record-breaking purchase Rutter.
In the three games since moving from Swansea, Piroe’s form has been wildly inconsistent, alternating between two scoring outings in decisive victories and an inconspicuous effort in the scoreless draw with Sheffield Wednesday. Ampadu, though, has shown more consistency.
The manager only trusted him and Archie Gray to man the midfield up until he signed Ilia Gruev and Glen Kamara late in the transfer window, so Daniel Farke’s first acquisition this summer has proven to be a crucial one.
Welsh international Ampadu may have slipped under people’s notice at the highest level after becoming lost in Chelsea’s loan cycle, which had resulted in relegation three years in a row.
However, Leeds paid a large second tier price of £7million [BBC Sport, 19 July] to beat the competition to get him, and if he keeps up the pace he’s been on, it appears to be a good deal.
And Piroe will undoubtedly be receiving some honors himself in the upcoming weeks if he keeps scoring goals like he did on Sunday, as things are starting to turn around at Elland Road.
In a related development:
Fresh big Leeds United boost expected and new inroads for Daniel Farke’s Whites
A swift and significant Leeds United boost is anticipated as a new opening for Daniel Farke’s Whites.
Leeds began Sunday’s return to Championship play at Millwall in just 17th place, but after a dominant 3-0 win at The Den, Farke’s team shot into the top ten of the division for the first time this year. Ahead of Wednesday’s immediate return to action against Hull City, Leeds are currently only two points out of a play-off spot and six points out of the automatics.
Although considered the main threat for the Tigers, Liam Delap is currently just the ninth favorite to score first (8-1), barely ahead of teammate Aaron Connolly at 17-2. In a market where Joel Piroe of the Whites is a strong 9-2 favorite to score the game’s opening goal, the duo are ahead of eight players from Leeds.
