Leeds United’s 2023 summer transfer business is becoming more efficient by the week.
The Whites signed nine new players after losing several on loan or permanently following relegation, with perhaps only Djed Spence standing out as a disappointment due to the early termination of his contract.
So far, Ethan Ampadu, Joe Rodon, and Glen Kamara appear to be the front-runners, while Ilia Gruev has lately emerged. Joel Piroe and Sam Byram have also played their parts.
But one player sticks out from the rest of the list: Ampadu, who is set for his first reunion with former club Chelsea tomorrow after leaving for £7 million in the summer.
Ahead of his return to Stamford Bridge, writer Nizaar Kinsella, who broke the story of his move to Elland Road in the first place, has revealed that Leeds beat off ‘huge competition’ from around Europe to sign the 23-year-old.
Leeds beat off tough competition for Ampadu.
Ampadu was the 49ers’ first signing, and his promotion to the Championship against competition from big European clubs was a clear indication of the owners’ commitment.
Kinsella also tweeted that he was’reliably informed’. Ampadu has been ‘excellent’ for Leeds, and he has played every league match this season but one minute.
In the absence of Pascal Struijk and with Liam Cooper on the bench, Ampadu has been given the captaincy in recent weeks, a role he has thrived in.
Ampadu had played the first 26 games of the season in central midfield, but since replacing the injured Struijk at the back, his performance levels have not dipped.
Along with Crysencio Summerville and Georginio Rutter, Ampadu has a strong case for Leeds’ player of the season in May.
