Leeds United have been a club that has fluctuated between the Championship and the Premier League in recent seasons, with Daniel Farke tasked with keeping the side in the top flight this season.
The German has done a tremendous role at Elland Road in the last few years, subsequently building the club back up to a competitive level after relegation in 2022/23.
Last season, he led the Whites to the second division title, finishing at the top of the pile on goal difference from Burnley, despite registering a staggering 100 points.
Leeds United manager Daniel Farke acknowledges fans after the match
The 2025/26 campaign was also going to be a tricky one for the club to navigate, but the manager has led the side to a place outside the drop zone, with a six-point buffer in hand.
Many of his senior first-team members have been able to produce the goods on a consistent basis this season, with one player in particular not getting the plaudits he deserves.
How Ethan Ampadu compares to other PL midfielders
Ethan Ampadu was one of the club’s first signings made after relegation to the Championship a couple of years ago, with his £7m transfer fee now appearing to be a bargain.
The Welshman played a pivotal role in promotion last season, whilst taking the captain’s armband and cementing himself as a regular starter at the heart of Farke’s side.
Ampadu
The 25-year-old has now featured in 23 league matches this campaign, with his underlying stats now ranking him higher than many other players in a similar role.
Ampadu has completed 73% of the dribbles he’s attempted this season, with such a figure ranking him within the top 7% of all midfielders in the Premier League in 2025/26.
Without the ball, he’s been just as impressive, as seen with his tally of 63% of duels won, which also places him within the top 10% of players in his position this season.
Ampadu’s box-to-box nature has been perfect in Farke’s switch to a three-back formation, with the Welshman likely to be key in their attempts to beat the drop come the end of May.
The former Leeds star who’s now better than Ampadu
Even before their recent stint in the Premier League, Leeds was often the home to numerous impressive talents in the Championship, with countless players catching the eye in Yorkshire.
Striker Chris Wood was a fan-favourite during his time at Elland Road, with his goalscoring record massively catching the eye and allowing the club to challenge for promotion.
Chris Wood Leeds record (timeless)
He racked up a total of 88 appearances during his two-year spell in Yorkshire, scoring on 44 occasions and so often providing the goods in the final third in the Championship.
However, he would depart in a deal worth £15m, joining Premier League outfit Burnley, as the Whites largely had to rely on big-money sales to avoid financial issues.
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Such a situation was also evident with midfielder Lewis Cook, with the academy star rising through the ranks before becoming a regular at the heart of the Whites' side.
The now 29-year-old made his breakthrough into the first team back in the 2014/15 campaign, ending his debut season at Elland Road with 38 appearances across all competitions.
lewis-cook-leeds
He would make an additional 47 appearances the following campaign - claiming the EFL’s Young Player of the Year award in what would be his final year at the club.
Cook would move to Bournemouth in a £7m deal in the summer of 2016, with the central midfielder still plying his trade for the Cherries nearly a decade on from his transfer.
He’s now racked up over 250 appearances at the Vitality, often being a regular starter during such a period, even making 16 appearances in the league so far this term.
Cook, who’s been dubbed “incredible” by one analyst, has managed to impress in key areas, even bettering Ampadu in numerous key areas in the process.
Lewis Cook - PL stats (2025/26)
Statistics (per 90)
Games played
Goals & assists
Pass accuracy
Chances created
Dribble success
Tackles made
Interceptions made
Recoveries made
He’s managed to complete 75% of the dribbles he’s attempted, with such a tally higher than that of Ampadu - highlighting his ability to progress the play from a deep-lying role.
The Bournemouth star has managed to complete 2.5 interceptions, a tally better than that of Ampadu, whilst also placing him in the top 2% of all players in the league.
Cook-bournemouth-premier-league
Bournemouth midfielder Lewis Cook
He’s also made 6.4 ball recoveries and 2.7 clearances per 90, further demonstrating his incredible defensive ability - which could have been vital in the Whites’ squad this campaign.
Selling Cook for £7m at the time simply had to be done, given the club’s Championship standing, with their lack of success certainly coming back to bite them with the midfielder.
There’s no denying that Ampadu has been a superb option for Farke’s side, but ultimately, the Cherries star has undoubtedly been a better option in the Premier League this season.
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