Leeds United’s official podcast is back. The club kicks things off with a great first episode featuring captain Ethan Ampadu. Based on the report from Leeds United, the 24-year-old Wales international sits down with club legend Stuart Dallas, Michael Bridges, and Emma Jones. The group has a long, honest talk about his career so far.
Ethan Ampadu Opens Up on Leeds Legacy, Shirt Number Burden and the Dressing Room Reality
Ampadu looks back on a time when things changed fast for him. He talks about everything from those half-time chats at Manchester City to the childhood moments that helped him become a pro. He is clearly proud talking about the promotion parties at Elland Road. Ampadu also opens up about playing for Wales; that has been a big part of his life since he became one of the youngest players to ever suit up for the national team.
The interview also touches on what it’s like to wear the number four shirt. Some of the biggest names in the club’s history have worn that number, and Ampadu handles that pressure with total respect instead of letting it get to him.
“You have to embrace the history of it. I can’t be in those conversations at all. Leeds fans are really good at making you aware of how big the club is and how important certain players and numbers are. You want to make it your own as well, but you do have to respect everyone who has played and worn it before you. You know you have to put a lot of hard work in. I still have a long way to go, but I want to do just as well as those before me,” said the captain.
Can Ampadu’s Leadership Prove the Decisive Factor in Leeds United’s Survival Fight This Season?
Leeds United are in a tough spot in the 2025-26 Premier League season. This is their first year back in the top flight after two years away. A 3-1 win over Nottingham Forest earlier this month puts Daniel Farke’s side six points above the bottom three. You can see the team’s confidence growing, but the upcoming games are still brutal. Manchester City are the next big test on February 28th.
In a situation like this, the way Ampadu talks about pressure shows real leadership. It’s more than just a standard media interview. He admits on the podcast that Leeds fans expect a lot. He knows the number four shirt is heavy to wear, but he sees that as a reason to work harder, not as a problem.
For a team trying to prove they belong here after being gone so long, that mindset really matters. Younger players follow the lead their captain sets. Ampadu’s message, work hard, respect the past, and make your own mark, shows up clearly on the pitch. He’s been the steady hand in midfield that Farke’s system needs. The way the captain talks about legacy shows he’s grown into the captain’s role with real self-belief. Leeds United need that version of him as they head into the final stretch of the season.
