Wales manager says Leeds defender is future national team captain

Wales manager Rob Page says Leeds United’s Ethan Ampadu is a future national team captain. 

The 23-year-old made his international debut at the age of 17 against France in November 2017. 

He is now set to win his 50th Wales cap when the Dragons play against Finland in the Euro 2024 play-off next week, thus becoming the youngest Wales player to achieve the milestone. 

The talented defender is already the captain of Leeds but Rob Page has tipped him to be the future national team skipper as well. 

The Welsh boss said (as per BBC Sport): “He’s a great lad, very humble, doesn’t get carried away and he’s a model pro on and off the pitch.

“He’s a future Wales captain, 100%, he’s already captain of Leeds, a big club.

“They wouldn’t have given it to him [the captaincy] if they didn’t think he could cope with it. I know him a bit better and I can see why he’s taken it so well and he’ll enjoy it.

“It seems like he’s been around forever because of the age he was when he got his debut but he’s a great lad first and foremost.”

Ethan Ampadu has been a key player for Daniel Farke’s side this season. 

He played the first half of the season as a defensive midfielder before seamlessly moving back into central defence. 

The 23-year-old has started 37 Championship matches, contributing an assist. 

He is a big reason the Yorkshire outfit are currently sitting just three points behind Leicester City in the league standings.  

Ampadu was one of the Whites’ best performers last weekend when they secured a 2-0 win at Sheffield Wednesday. 

He completed four clearances, a single tackle and two key passes. 

The defender also had 93 touches in the away game with an impressive 87 percent pass accuracy. 

The Wales international is expected to start in central defence when Leeds welcome Millwall to Elland Road on Sunday afternoon.