Leeds United captain Ethan Ampadu has turned his long throw into a significant weapon for the team, a fact highlighted in analysis from Sky Sports. His delivery led directly to a goal in the midweek Carabao Cup victory and has been a consistent source of chances since the start of the 2025/26 campaign.
Ethan Ampadu's set-piece delivery is now a core part of Leeds United's attacking play. Since the beginning of the 2025/26 season, his long throws into the penalty area have generated 53 shots for his teammates. Those deliveries have directly led to five goals for Leeds, matching the output of Brentford's Michael Kayode who leads the league in total long throws. The most recent example came on Tuesday, August 25, 2026, when Ampadu's throw was converted by James Justin to secure a Carabao Cup win at Nottingham Forest's City Ground.
The Leeds midfielder's throw has undergone a dramatic transformation. Early in the 2025/26 season, some supporters criticized the distance of his deliveries. Ampadu himself acknowledged this, saying, "I got battered a little bit by Leeds fans, saying it wasn't actually that long, which was true, sometimes it's not great." By February 2026, he noted the improvement, and data now shows his average throw distance has increased from around 28 metres to 32 metres. Teammate Brenden Aaronson observed the change in pre-season, stating, "Ethan came back and started throwing it about 20 yards further and 20 yards harder." Two of those improved throws led to goals in a friendly against Liverpool.
Ampadu's development as a set-piece threat adds a valuable dimension to Daniel Farke's side as they handle the new Premier League season. Leeds currently sit 9th in the standings with three points from one game, having won their opener 1-0. They are one of only a few teams yet to concede a goal this season. This defensive solidity, combined with a potent weapon like Ampadu's throw, could be important in tight matches. Their next challenge is a tough away fixture against Brighton, who are second in the table, on September 5.
While Leeds have a weapon in Ampadu, the opening weekend also highlighted how set-pieces can define games. Newly promoted Hull City exploited Manchester United's vulnerability from dead balls to win their first match, scoring twice from set-pieces. Data shows that since Michael Carrick took over at United in January 2026, they have the third-highest percentage of goals conceded from set-pieces in the Premier League. Interestingly, both Manchester United and Leeds United have conceded 12 goals from corners since the start of the 2025/26 season, the joint-highest figure in the division in that period.
Ampadu's role as a leader and a tactical asset was reinforced when he signed a new contract in June 2026, tying him to Elland Road until 2030. Manager Daniel Farke rates him as an outstanding leader, and pundit Jamie Carragher has named him a favourite midfielder. With the long throw now a reliable tool, Ampadu's influence on Leeds United's campaign looks set to grow. The team will aim to build on their strong start and positive goal difference when they face high-flying Brighton.
