Leeds United: Charlie Cresswell must empty Thorp Arch locker for good, January exit surely just days away

Forgotten Leeds United player Charlie Cresswell may already have his Thorp Arch locker cleared ahead of a possible exit in January.

Fresh off a successful loan spell in South London with Millwall last season and helping England to win the European Under-21 Championship back in June, the centre-back signed a deal until June 2027 (official website, 1 August).

Such a promising and exciting development for the youngster, he may well have expected to be a big part of Daniel Farke’s thoughts for the new season.

However, fast forward four months and the England under-21 international has now become an unfortunate afterthought in West Yorkshire.

Cresswell’s future at Leeds looks incredibly bleak with just three starts in all competitions this term.

The Thorp Arch academy graduate is seemingly even further down the pecking order and has only been included by Farke in the matchday squads once since the 2-1 win over Plymouth before the November international break [SofaScore] which has begged the question of whether Farke sees him as part of his plans or even rates him.

The interest in his talented services is now deservedly increasing with the January window now open.

According to the Sunday Mirror [30 December, page 72], the youngster is ready to quit Elland Road for good amid interest from the likes of Sunderland and Ipswich Town.

It is understood that Ipswich are the newest club to join the queue for the England Under 21 international, with Sunderland, Middlesbrough, Southampton and Rangers all aiming for the youngster’s signature on loan or on a permanent deal.

The Sun newspaper journalist Alan Nixon has also reported, via his Patreon [31 December], that Blackburn Rovers are interested in his services in a "surprise" move.

Such interest from a plethora of suitors will only increase the clamour for Cresswell to end his current nightmare in West Yorkshire and given his tremendous development when starting regularly last season, he's got to consider it.

Whilst registering impressive six-goal contributions as a centre-back, Cresswell helped Millwall to five clean sheets, averaged 1.3 interceptions, 1.5 tackles, and 3.1 clearances per 90 whilst winning 61% of his aerial duels, 58% of his ground duels and 60% of his total duels [SofaScore] which certainly shows a defender very capable of taking the step up to Premier League level.

A player of his class and quality at such a young age simply should not be rotting on the bench or out of the squad like he has recently and needs to be playing to enhance his development and maturity.

A move to Middlesbrough certainly won’t be considered by Leeds given they are promotion rivals but another move like his fruitful Millwall spell last season should be sanctioned.

With the January window now opened, an inevitable and much-anticipated exit seems just days way.

In other Leeds United news, Gary Rowett has admitted that he is “fed up” following a controversial call in the Whites clash with West Brom