Ethan Ampadu has been sidelined since late September with a knee injury, missing the last eight league games for Leeds United. However, the Wales international and Leeds captain is working hard on his recovery and could be back in action soon to help the team during a busy Christmas period. There’s hope that Ampadu’s return will bring a boost to Leeds as they navigate a crucial stretch of fixtures.
Daniel Farke had originally stated that Ethan Ampadu would be out until the new year, but more recently, Farke has revealed that Ampadu is ahead of schedule and could make his return sooner than expected. Ampadu himself is confident about his recovery. When he was injured, Leeds had four players competing for midfield spots—Ampadu, Ilia Gruev, Joe Rothwell, and Ao Tanaka. This week, Ampadu praised both Rothwell and Tanaka, highlighting their contributions and the strong competition for places in the midfield.
Ethan Ampadu is excited about the huge potential of Leeds United’s teenage midfielder, Charlie Crew. With Ampadu set to return to a midfield battle that now includes six central midfielders—following the signing of Josuha Guilavogui and Crew’s impressive debut—Ampadu expressed his admiration for the 18-year-old. Speaking on BBC Radio Leeds, Ampadu said, “It’s great to see, we know how good Charlie is as a player… Whatever advice I can give him, whatever he asks of me, I try to help him along the way because we all know his potential and we want him to reach that.”
Charlie Crew may find himself going out on loan at some point, as he is currently fifth or sixth in the midfield pecking order at Leeds United. With experienced players like Joe Rothwell, Ao Tanaka, Ethan Ampadu, and Ilia Gruev ahead of him, Crew faces tough competition for a starting spot. A loan move could provide the young midfielder with valuable first-team experience and development, helping him continue to grow as a player.
Charlie Crew has only made one senior appearance under Daniel Farke, and with Leeds United well-stocked in midfield, his chances of securing regular game time are limited. If Leeds achieve promotion to the Premier League, Crew may find it even harder to break into the first team. To maximize his potential and solidify his place in the Wales squad, a loan move could be the best option for Crew. Many Championship clubs will likely be interested in bringing him in, offering him the opportunity for regular playing time and further development, possibly as early as January or next summer.