Ethan Ampadu has praised Anton Stach for the influence he has already had around the Leeds United dressing room, describing the German midfielder as a “great character” and highlighting the importance of his personality both on and off the pitch.
Stach has quickly become an important figure within the Leeds squad, with his performances and set-piece ability adding another dimension to Daniel Farke’s side. While much of the attention naturally focuses on what the midfielder produces during matches, Ampadu believes Stach’s biggest value goes beyond his footballing qualities.
Speaking about his teammate, Ampadu explained that Stach is comfortable being himself and has fitted naturally into the group.
“He lives his life the way he wants to be. He’s just himself. He’s a great character to have around. Everyone is, we get on so well with each other. That was shown in our pre-season trip as you guys saw in some of the videos. But yeah, he’s very important.”
The comments underline the positive atmosphere within the Leeds camp, with Ampadu suggesting that Stach has quickly established strong relationships with his teammates.
For a newly assembled or developing squad, dressing-room chemistry can be just as important as individual quality. Players spending long periods together during training camps, travelling and matchdays need to develop trust and understanding, and Ampadu’s comments suggest Stach has made that transition smoothly.
The Leeds midfielder also turned his attention to Stach’s ability from dead-ball situations, admitting that his free-kick success is no longer particularly surprising.
Ampadu was asked whether he was surprised by Stach’s continued success from free kicks.
“No it’s not, but it’s always nice,” Ampadu said. “I mean, he showed it all last year. His quality shows every day in training.”
The Leeds star then explained why having someone capable of producing moments of quality from set pieces could prove crucial during a demanding Premier League campaign.
“His free kicks are exceptional and frankly, he put another one in the back of the net in our last game with Nottingham ,” Ampadu added.
“Is it handy to rely on? 100%, because let’s be honest, the Premier League is one of the toughest leagues, if not the toughest league in the world.
“And there’s going to be a lot of very tight games where a bit of magic from a set-piece is going to have to unlock a team and that’s what happened today.”
That assessment could prove significant for Leeds as they look to compete consistently at the highest level. Matches in the Premier League can often be decided by fine margins, particularly when teams are closely matched and open-play opportunities are limited.
A dangerous free-kick taker gives Leeds another potential route to goal. Instead of relying solely on open-play combinations, the club can potentially turn a single foul into a decisive opportunity.
The skipper’s statement in the spotlight
Ampadu’s comments about Stach also carried extra weight because of his position as one of the senior voices within the Leeds squad.
The Leeds skipper effectively made clear that Stach is not simply another player in the group. His description of the midfielder as “very important” reflects the growing role he appears to have within the team, while his praise for Stach’s personality suggests his influence is being felt away from the pitch as well.
For Leeds supporters, that combination will be particularly encouraging. A player who can contribute goals from set pieces while also becoming a popular figure within the dressing room can quickly become an important part of the squad’s identity.
The reaction from supporters online reflected the excitement around Stach’s influence.
@LeedsLoyal, wrote: “Stach is already looking like such an important player for us.”
@LUFCFaithful, posted: “Love hearing this from Ampadu. Dressing-room chemistry matters so much.”
@EllandRoad1892, added: “Free kicks like that can win you points in the Premier League.”
Others focused on the relationship between the two midfielders, with
@WhitesTalk saying: “Ampadu and Stach together could be massive for Leeds this season.”
@MOTLeeds, wrote: “Great character and serious quality. Exactly what you want in the squad.”
There was also plenty of excitement about Stach’s ability to produce from dead-ball situations.
@LeedsUnitedFan posted: “If he keeps scoring free kicks, defenders are going to be terrified of giving away fouls.”
The comments demonstrate why Stach’s role could become increasingly important as the season develops.
For Ampadu, however, the focus appears to be much broader than individual goals or assists. His message was ultimately about having players who contribute to the collective, whether that means delivering on the pitch, helping teammates in training or simply creating a positive environment inside the dressing room.
That could be especially valuable for Leeds as they navigate the demands of Premier League football.
Stach’s set-piece quality gives the team an obvious weapon, but Ampadu’s comments suggest his influence is also being measured through his character and relationships with teammates.
And if the German continues combining that personality with decisive moments on the pitch, Leeds supporters may soon see him become one of the key figures in the club’s campaign.
For now, Ampadu’s verdict is clear: Stach has already made himself an important part of the Leeds group and his teammates appear to be enjoying having him around.
