The Daily Mail suggests that Ethan Ampadu’s standout season with Leeds United could attract interest from other clubs following Leeds’ loss in the playoff final. With Leeds facing a significant financial obligation of £189.7 million in transfer installments this summer, the defeat against Southampton on May 26 at Wembley means the club may need to offload players to comply with spending regulations.

Losing Ethan Ampadu would undoubtedly be a substantial setback for Leeds United. Despite the financial pressure to sell players, Ampadu shouldn’t be seen as a mere asset to be offloaded. Instead, he should be recognized as a pivotal figure around whom a promotion-winning campaign could be constructed.

Ampadu’s contribution to Leeds cannot be overstated. He led the team in minutes played across all competitions in the 2023/24 season, accumulating an impressive 4,860 minutes of game time. At just 23 years old, Ampadu has earned the unwavering trust of head coach Daniel Farke through his consistent performances on the pitch.

Establishing himself as a vital component in the system of the German coach, Ampadu initially operated as a holding midfielder. However, his adaptability became evident when he seamlessly transitioned to the center of defense to cover for the absence of Pascal Struijk, who was sidelined for the remainder of the season. Notably, Ampadu not only filled the defensive void effectively but also occasionally assumed the role of team captain.

Leeds would benefit greatly from retaining Ampadu for another season if possible.