Ethan Ampadu, the Leeds captain and rising star of the Welsh national team, is drawing inspiration from Chelsea legends John Terry and Didier Drogba as he aims to secure a spot in the Euro 2024 finals. At just 23 years old, Ampadu is set to win his 50th cap in Thursday’s play-off semi-final against Finland in Cardiff. While Aaron Ramsey currently holds the role of Wales’ leader, manager Robert Page has praised Ampadu as a “future skipper.” Despite not being the captain at club level, Ampadu looks to his childhood heroes Terry and Drogba for guidance on how to lead by example on the pitch.
Growing up as a Chelsea fan, Ampadu idolized both Terry and Drogba. He considers himself fortunate to have been able to watch their performances and learn from their leadership styles. While Terry was known for his captaincy, Drogba’s influence came through his on-field performances. Ampadu explains, “Being a leader comes naturally to me. Because of the position I play, either as a midfielder or defender, you’re in the middle of the pitch. You try and help the team whichever way you can.”
Ampadu’s journey to his 50th cap has been an impressive one. He made his debut for Wales at just 15 years old, introduced to the squad by former manager Chris Coleman before Euro 2016. Since then, he has played in both the Euros and the World Cup. Despite leaving Stamford Bridge for Elland Road in a £7m deal last summer, Ampadu has continued to shine on the international stage.
While he primarily plays as a center-back for Leeds, Ampadu takes on a central midfield role for Wales, showcasing his versatility and adaptability. He has led Leeds to the top of the Championship, sitting above Leicester following a recent 2-0 win over Millwall. However, his loan spells at Sheffield United, Venezia, and Spezia resulted in three successive relegations, leading to some labeling him as cursed.
Ampadu finds motivation in the disappointment of those relegations, using it as fuel to drive him forward. He shares, “I still have the same dedication and application in preparing for games. I’ve taken the feeling of three relegations and how much that hurt me. I was disappointed. I have used that as motivation to not have that feeling again.” Ampadu understands the importance of winning and the positive impact it has on team morale. He explains, “It’s a lot nicer and more enjoyable when you’re winning. It’s a different pressure, but the mood is better and more positive when you are trying to win something.”
As Ampadu reaches his 50th cap at such a young age, he remains humble and focused on the future. He sees this milestone as a massive achievement but acknowledges that he still has a long way to go in his career. His ultimate goal is to help Wales secure a place in the Euros once again, even if it means sacrificing personal accolades.
In his pursuit of success, Ampadu draws inspiration from the great leaders who came before him. The influence of John Terry and Didier Drogba can be seen in his approach to the game and his desire to lead by example. As he continues to grow and develop both on and off the pitch, Ampadu’s dedication and determination will undoubtedly propel him to new heights in his career.