OPINION
Leeds are running the risk of leaving themselves short at centre-back if they don’t sign anyone in January.
However, there is one player who would be perfect and rival Championship clubs are already interested.
Chelsea’s 18-year-old centre-back Ethan Ampadu broke through into the senior side last year under Antonio Conte, making seven appearances.
Cardiff reportedly made an approach to land him on loan in the summer but Chelsea turned them down as it seemed he would feature under new manager Maurizzzio Sarri.
However, that hasn’t happened and the report claims that Chelsea re prepared to listen to clubs in January, with both Aston Villa and Derby keen.
Ampadu would be perfect at Leeds. He’s won five caps for his country since his debut in 2017 and looked impressive for Chelsea last season, making two starts in the FA Cup and two in the league cup.
Leeds don’t have a lot of options at centre-back. Gaetano Berardi is on the long-term injured list. Pontus Jansson has just withdrawn from the Sweden international squad with a knock.
That leaves Liam Cooper as the only senior centre-back currently fit and it’s an issue that Leeds really need to address in January.
One man we thought would be perfect was Tottenham’s Juan Foyth. However, with their own injury problems, he’s broken through into the first-team, scoring the only goal of the game in a 1-0 win against Crystal Palace at the weekend.
Leeds must now make sure they’re front of the queue for Ampadu in January. If he is going to come to the Championship, Victor Orta needs to make sure he picks Elland Road.