Ethan Ampadu turns setbacks into fuel ahead of Chelsea FA Cup semi | OneFootball

Ethan Ampadu is drawing on a string of early-career setbacks as Leeds United prepare for Sunday’s FA Cup semi-final against Chelsea at Wembley. The captain believes that context helps him appreciate and pursue big moments.

As reported by yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk, the captain endured a hat-trick of relegations in consecutive seasons while on loan at Sheffield United, Venezia and Spezia. His first year at Leeds ended in play-off final defeat to Southampton at Wembley.

Since then he has experienced the upside, lifting the Championship title, sealing promotion to the Premier League and captaining an historic win at Old Trafford. He even fronted the city’s open-top bus celebrations, joking he might have gone a bit too hard.

Returning to Wembley with Daniel Farke and team-mates from that Saints loss will bring back pain during the pre-match walk. Ampadu accepts they must park it, channel the feeling as motivation and, once the whistle goes, focus on making better memories amid the stadium’s noise and history.

He tends to stay level across a season, even with a final within reach. Leeds are one win from the showpiece and two wins from European football, and simply clearing Chelsea would be historic for the club and individuals. Ampadu views it as a magnificent opportunity, stresses the challenge, and backs the squad’s belief in reaching the final.

Source: yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk