Glen Kamara and Ethan Ampadu were midfield partners at Leeds United during the first half of the season.
The two players complemented each other brilliantly in the centre of the park thanks to Ampadu‘s ability to shield the back four, and Kamara‘s to link play further up the pitch.
They were both part of a major midfield revamp at Elland Road last summer as Tyler Adams, Marc Roca, Weston McKennie and Adam Forshaw all departed after relegation.
Ampadu and Kamara were two key targets of Daniel Farke‘s after his appointment, who also sought to bring in Ilia Gruev from Werder Bremen and blood Archie Gray into the first-team fold.
The former has since had to drop in at centre-back since the turn of the New Year due to Pascal Struijk’s injury, but clearly they have a good relationship on and off the pitch.
What Ampadu has nicknamed Kamara behind-the-scenes at Leeds
Kamara is still awaiting his first goal for Leeds since arriving from Rangers, though that is not likely to happen anytime soon unless he starts shooting. Incredibly, he has had just five shots in 37 league appearances for the Whites.
Though at times it can be frustrating, that is not what Kamara is in the side for and he offers plenty that makes Leeds a better side when he is in it.
Having completed 92.7 per cent of his 1949 attempted passes (FBref), Kamara is brilliant at keeping the ball. His link-up play down the left with Crysencio Summerville and Junior Firpo has also become a big part of how Leeds attack.
However, perhaps the most eye-catching trait in which Kamara possesses is his ability to dribble his way out of pressurised situations through quick body faints and little Cruyf turns.
Clearly this is something his Leeds teammates have recognised, with the Yorkshire Evening Post reporting Ampadu has even reserved a special nickname for him behind-the-scenes.
The Welshman is said to have labelled Kamara as ‘snake hips’, as a result of his ability to turn out of danger when you least expect him to.
Leeds need repeat of Kamara’s Norwich City display in play-off final
With Leeds’ play-off final opponents Southampton very much a possession-based team, Kamara will need to be at his best at Wembley.
Having won man-of-the-match in a cagey first leg affair against Norwich City in the semi-finals, the 28-year-old then completely dominated the midfield in the return fixture.
Leeds are likely to see less of the ball against the Saints and so the onus will be on Kamara – as the Whites’ most efficient player in possession – to ensure they are effective with it when they do get it.
What’s more, as shown by Will Smallbone’s goals in both league matches against Leeds, and the play-off semi-final against West Bromwich Albion, he is very strong at those late midfield runs into the box.
Kamara will have to ensure he is switched on at all times in order to stop those from being a problem.