Charlie Cresswell tipped to leave Leeds United before January transfer deadline amid Ben Godfrey developments at Everton
We’re delighted to welcome former England goalkeeper Paul Robinson as our exclusive columnist as each week he’ll be giving his views on the biggest talking points at Leeds United …
Leeds United signing Ben Godfrey before the transfer window shuts could see Charlie Cresswell leave the club for game time, says Paul Robinson.
Daniel Farke had frozen the youngster out of first-team contention amid a disagreement behind the scenes over his playing time, before revealing ahead of the FA Cup draw with Plymouth Argyle that the door was open again [The Athletic, 26 January].
Phil Hay has suggested that the mending of bridges between the two was out of convenience, with Farke struggling to land defensive reinforcements and suitable transfer exit options for the 21-year-old not coming forward.
But Robinson believes the “quality” youngster’s development is stalling at Elland Road despite the logic of using Pascal Struijk and Joe Rodon ahead of him, and with Everton’s Godfrey believed to be a possible new arrival inside the deadline it could in turn move Cresswell out.
The 26-year-old Toffees defender has emerged as a January target, with Robinson even hearing that the deal is already close.
“He’s a quality young player who’s struggling for game time at the moment,” he exclusively told MOT Leeds News on Cresswell.
“It’s a difficult one. He’s in a very difficult situation at the moment because he’s a quality player the manager will want to keep.
“But by keeping him, for his own personal development and playing games, it’s stopped that development if you like.
“He’s done fantastically well when he’s been out on loan and shown great potential but he’s finding it hard to break into that starting XI, or to be the first change if one of the centre-halves should be injured.
“You look at the quality that’s in front of him, the way Rodon’s played this year, he’s obviously first choice.
“Pascal Struijk’s really taken on the mantel of being captain this year when he’s been fit, and then [Liam] Cooper comes into the equation, and he’s found it difficult to break into the team.
“But should injuries or suspensions happen to any of those then he will be needed. It’s a very, very difficult position for him but you can understand all sides of it.
“The club want to keep the squad together, the strongest possible options that they’ve got.
“If they were to allow him to go on loan it would only be if they replaced him in the squad with somebody who was equally as good as him, which is a difficult task.
“But if Godfrey came in that might pave the way for him to go.”
In other Leeds United news, replacements are now being assessed for a last gasp Whites target to move before the deadline.
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