Leeds United Continues Strong Form as Ampadu Praises Fans

Leeds United remains undefeated in the Premier League this December, following a commanding 4-1 victory over Crystal Palace last weekend. Under the guidance of manager Daniel Farke, the team has built momentum as they prepare for their next match against Sunderland at the Stadium of Light after the Christmas break. With 17 matches played, Leeds sits four points above the relegation zone, leaving clubs like West Ham United, Burnley, and Wolverhampton Wanderers in a precarious position.

The upcoming fixtures will be crucial, as Leeds will face formidable opponents in Liverpool and Manchester United shortly after the clash with Sunderland. As the festive season approaches, fans are eager to see if the team can maintain its impressive run.

Calvert-Lewin’s England Prospects Spark Debate

A discussion around Dominic Calvert-Lewin has emerged, particularly regarding his potential return to the England national team. Former Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney has publicly endorsed Calvert-Lewin for a call-up, citing his recent form that includes six goals in five matches. The 28-year-old forward has displayed remarkable versatility, scoring with both feet and his head, making him a valuable asset for any team.

Calvert-Lewin has represented England 11 times, scoring four goals, but has not been selected for the national squad in five years. Rooney expressed his belief on the BBC’s Wayne Rooney Show, stating, “If he’s fit he’s such a handful to play against. He occupies defenders, he competes, he’s great in the air, he’s good in both boxes.” He emphasized that if Calvert-Lewin continues his current form, he could be on the radar of national team manager Gareth Southgate.

In contrast, former England striker Gary Lineker offered a more cautious perspective. On the podcast The Rest Is Football, he acknowledged Calvert-Lewin’s good form but noted, “It’s his first good spell for quite some time after a lot of injuries, which have taken its toll.” Lineker suggested that while Calvert-Lewin has the potential to be a great striker, he should focus on maintaining his fitness and performance, especially with players like Ollie Watkins currently in strong contention for a spot on the team.

Ampadu Acknowledges Support from Fans

Leeds captain Ethan Ampadu has expressed gratitude towards the supporters following their recent victory. After the match against Crystal Palace, Ampadu reflected on the importance of fan support during challenging times. Despite facing criticism for underwhelming performances earlier in the season, Leeds has now gone five matches without defeat, a turnaround that has instilled hope among fans.

“It’s so special,” Ampadu remarked on LUTV, commenting on the atmosphere after the match. “There have been spells where we’re going around after games where we’re very disappointed with ourselves and rightly so the fans have been. But they’ve still shown us that support to encourage us and to keep pushing us on to enjoy moments like that; it’s very good.”

As Leeds United continues its campaign, the combination of solid performances on the pitch and unwavering support from fans may prove pivotal in their quest to secure a safe position in the Premier League.