Former Wales striker Dean Saunders says Leeds United's Ethan Ampadu is destined to play for a "big six club".
Ampadu, who was in the starting XI for Wales in their 1-0 Nations League defeat to Portugal on Thursday night, signed a new deal with the Elland Road outfit in the summer.
The Exeter City product has emerged as one of manager Daniel Farke's key lieutenants after signing for the Yorkshiremen from Chelsea in 2023.
Saunders: Ampadu will reach the top
Often one of the first names on the teamsheet for both club and country, Saunders believes Ampadu has the ability to play for one of the top-six clubs in the Premier League in the future.
The Welshman left Stamford Bridge a number of times on loan in his early career and eventually departed permanently in order to get game-time.
"I've watched Ethan Ampadu in every game he's played for Wales," Saunders said. "He's developed brilliantly after being converted from a centre-back into a midfielder. He's learning all the time, and I think in a few years' time he'll be playing at a 'big six' club."
Yellow card warning
Saunders did, though, offer Ampadu some advice - not to go into the referee's book too often.
The former 75-cap Wales forward added: "One thing I'd say on Ampadu is that he gets a yellow card nearly every game. So what happens with those free-kicks? Where does the ball end up?
"Some of them are going to end up in the net if they're in the wrong place. That's just a small point, but I would say to him that he's getting too many yellow cards.
"He's not a silky, dribbling midfielder – he's a destructive player, which every team needs. He's got that edge to get his foot in and he can also operate at centre-half or full-back. He's a vital player for both Wales and Leeds."
Gray praises leadership
Leeds legend Eddie Gray is also a fan of the midfielder, who is the current Whites captain.
"I don't know him personally, so I don't know what he's like around the dressing room but even if he's not involved in the game himself a lot, he seems to be directing others," said club legend Gray to the Yorkshire Evening Post.
"That's an important thing.
"When you watch him play, he's not on the ball all the time. You never see him having a shot at goal.
"But he directs the rest of the team. That's his great strength. I think that's what the manager appreciates and the rest of the players appreciate that.
"That's an important thing for the rest of the players to listen to somebody on the football pitch and have confidence in his ability to be right.
"That's probably what Daniel sees in him. That's why he's captain."
