Leeds United captain Ethan Ampadu has reflected calmly on the team’s current standing in the Championship, while also addressing recent claims of disrespect towards fellow clubs like Sheffield United and Burnley.
Leeds entered last Saturday’s match at Preston North End with the opportunity to move two points clear at the top and extend their lead to six points in the automatic promotion spots. However, they were forced to settle for a 1-1 draw after a last-minute own goal, leaving them three points behind league leaders Sheffield United, with every team in the top five securing a win.
Despite a dominant start to the season, Leeds now have just a one-point advantage over third-placed Burnley, while Sunderland is also just a point behind in fourth. Nonetheless, Ampadu is not focused on the fluctuating league table or potential what-ifs. Instead, he stressed the importance of staying grounded and prioritizing the immediate challenge of the upcoming game against Oxford United. He pointed out that while everyone knows where Leeds aim to be, the focus must remain on the present.
When asked about suggestions that the Championship might be easier this year without Leicester City and Ipswich Town, and whether that undermines teams like Sheffield United and Burnley, Ampadu strongly disagreed. “100 percent,” he stated. “We never want to disrespect anyone. If the league were easier, the table would look different.” He highlighted that the Championship is always a competitive league, regardless of the teams involved, and reiterated Leeds’ focus on their own objectives this season, rather than making comparisons to previous campaigns.
