Charlie Cresswell could force Leeds United exit despite signing new contract
Charlie Cresswell could force a move away from Leeds United in the January transfer window, despite putting pen to paper on a new four-year deal at Elland Road in the summer.
There was an expectation ahead of this season that Cresswell would stake his claim to become a regular starter under Daniel Farke, but the season has not played out how he would have hoped so far.
Yorkshire Evening Post journalist Graham Smyth shared on 18 October that the 21-year-old would have a big decision to make in January, and recent developments at Elland Road will make that decision more apparent.
Cresswell hasn’t even been named in the squad since Leeds’ 2-1 win against Bristol City on 7 October, and prior to that, he had played just one minute of football under Daniel Farke since August.
When all three of Joe Rodon, Pascal Struijk and Liam Cooper are fit, Cresswell finds himself on the outskirts of the squad, and he will not be happy with the way the season has played out.
A successful loan spell at Millwall last season, where he helped his side push close to playoff qualification, led to the centre-back signing a deal in August that would see his spell at Elland Road last until 2027, but he may be looking to leave again already.
His performances on international duty with England’s Under-21 side have been impressive, as he recorded 14 successful aerial duels in 15 attempts, completed 184 passes and scored a goal in two games against Serbia and Ukraine. [Sofascore]
His quality is clear, so there would be no shortage of suitors for the defender should he push for a move.
Questions are still being asked about Cooper’s long-term future at Leeds, with a decision yet to be made on his contract [The Athletic, 16 October], which may directly affect Cresswell’s future, but whether the 21-year-old sticks around to find out is uncertain.
With a big decision to make in January, his recent exclusion from the squad has made that decision easier, and he could now push for a move, at least on loan, when the transfer window rolls back around.
In other Leeds United news, one loanee could quit the club after his recent comments.