🚨BREAKING NEWS :‘Absolutely fantastic’ Leeds United player says he’d love to be captain next season

The Leeds United captain’s armband is up for grabs after Daniel Farke confirmed last week that there is no surprise return for Liam Cooper, with one player saying he would be happy to wear it.

   Cooper’s decade at Elland Road has finally come to an end after nearly 300 appearances for the Yorkshire club.    Cooper is currently in talks with Blackburn, although the length of the contract dictates negotiations.

   In his absence last season, Cooper watched Pascal Struijk wear the armband for the first half of the season before Ethan Ampadu did the honors when Struijk missed the second half of the campaign.

   It is currently unclear who will wear the armband, with Ampadu set to wear it against Harrogate on Friday and Struijk not starting as he continues his comeback from a long-term injury that kept him out.

   Pascal Struijk answers a question about the Leeds captaincy

   Described by Jon Newsome as “absolutely fantastic”, Struijk was arguably the best in a Leeds shirt before she got injured.    He was even nominated for penalties away to Preston North End.

   No one questioned his captaincy, but Ampadu has since played into the role and perhaps boasts the kind of aura one expects from a captain, as Struijk himself quietly admitted.    He responded on Leeds Live.

   “We haven’t had a conversation, but if it’s me, I’ll be really proud. I’ve been there a long time. I’ve enjoyed my time. If it happens, I’d be really proud and grateful for something like that.”

   Other options to captain Leeds as Struijk and Ethan Ampadu

   Patrick Bamford has worn the armband on several occasions and although he is a senior member of the Leeds squad, he does not stand out like most captains.    Attackers rarely get that role either.

   That and Bamford struggling to start most weeks due to injury.    Joe Rodon is now a permanent acquisition and probably the most vocal member of the team and is certainly within his reach.

   Illan Meslier is a regular and has been in Leeds for a long time compared to others.    But there is no doubt that the next Leeds captain will officially be Ampadu or Struijk before 2024-25.