Ethan Ampadu calls for greater effort as Leeds United commence their preparations for the Premier League.

Leeds United's skipper Ethan Ampadu has stated that the team has already turned its focus to the demands of returning to the Premier League as preparations for the 2026/27 season officially kick off.

The Whites have returned from their summer break this week, with players arriving at Leeds Beckett University for fitness evaluations and conditioning sessions ahead of the commencement of full pre-season training.

The Welsh international, who has Ghanaian heritage, was among those reuniting with teammates and coaching staff, marking the initial step in Leeds' preparations for their long-anticipated comeback to the English top division.

In an interview with LUTV, Ampadu acknowledged that it felt invigorating to be back with the team after the off-season, but emphasized that last season's successes should now act as a source of motivation rather than an excuse to become complacent.

“It's great to be back; I feel good and well-rested,” Ampadu remarked.

The 25-year-old clarified that while the squad can take pride in their achievements from the promotion-winning season, maintaining their high standards is the main focus going forward.

“I believe it’s beneficial to reflect at the end of the season to recognize how far we’ve come and what we’ve accomplished. However, as professionals, we always aim to keep our standards elevated.”

“It's a situation where you reflect, but you also want to progress. Therefore, it's about striking that right balance between appreciating what you've achieved and the effort that got you there, while also knowing the next steps to take.”