"Always a pleasure watching you," he added, reflecting the sentiments of a Leeds fanbase who have watched in growing admiration as Ampadu, whose father Kwame played for the likes of Swansea and Exeter, has performed with class and consistency in two different positions.
The 23-year-old has not missed a single minute of Championship action since completing a £7m move from Chelsea last summer and has recently become the lynchpin of the joint-best defence in the division pre-weekend.
"A top, top performer," said Leeds boss Daniel Farke.
"Even on his bad days, he is a seven out of ten." On one hand, Ampadu's emergence is no surprise.
Snapped up by scouts at Exeter when he was just eight years old, he made his professional debut at 15, joined Chelsea at 16 and won his first Wales cap at 17.
A month later, Antonio Conte handed Ampadu his Premier League bow with a ten-minute substitute appearance for the Blues against Huddersfield.
This story is from the February 25, 2024 edition of The Football League Paper.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the February 25, 2024 edition of The Football League Paper.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
RAVENS FLY TO STORMY SUCCESS
ANDY Woodman admitted Bromley's win over Accrington is a game his victorious side 'will never watch back again'.
U'S TAME THE A FAST START
GARETH Ainsworth was dismayed with Shrewsbury's defending as his side were beaten by a rampant Cambridge, in a game which included a goal in the first minute of both halves.
SUPER BLUES' JAY AT DOUBLE
JAY STANSFIELD bagged the plaudits for Birmingham with a brace as they hit back to beat ten-man Barnsley in front of 5,000 travelling fans at Oakwell.
MATT'S ODE TO JOY FOR DETERMINED CHAIRBOYS
Royals in recovery with boss departed
IT JUST EXPLODED OUT OF NOWHERE - IT WAS WILD!
SHEFFIELD United v West Brom? For fans of a certain vintage, it's a fixture that can only conjure one memory.
ROHL RAGES WITH HIS SLOPPY OWLS
DANNY Rohl ripped into his Sheffield Wednesday side after they were held at home by Preston.
ACE KEEPER KAMINSKI IS THE BIG DIFFERENCE
LUKE Williams insisted that his Swansea City side could well have left with all three points after being denied victory by home keeper Thomas Kaminski.
Kolli is Marti's new Ray of sunshine
PROUD QPR boss Marti Cifuentes is hoping Rayan Kolli's maiden senior goals prove to be \"the first of many\" after the youngster played a starring role in the victory over Norwich.
FIRST WIN FOR FRANK AS LIONS ARE TAMED
COVENTRY head coach Frank Lampard felt his players took the game by the scruff of the neck after half-time the Sky Blues.
EUSTACE SALUTES BATTLING ROVERS
But a lot to ponder for Selles
