Leeds United: Daniel Farke makes Charlie Crew decision for Championship clash at Watford
Charlie Crew is with the Leeds United first-team squad for the trip to face Watford in the Championship, according to Joe Donnohue.
The Yorkshire Evening Post journalist reported via Twitter on 29 March that the 17-year-old has travelled with Daniel Farke’s squad to Vicarage Road for the return to league action after the international break.
The teenage midfielder has never made an appearance for the Whites senior side but is along for the experience at the very least.
Donnohue wrote: “Understand 17-year-old Leeds U21 midfielder Charlie Crew has travelled with the senior squad for the first time today.”
Leeds United teenager takes next step to emulate Archie Gray
Farke clearly hasn’t done too badly with 17-year-old midfielders being entrusted with first-team involvement this season given the outstanding campaign from Archie Gray.
Crew may not be in line for anything like the breakthrough of the regular starter but the Welsh youngster clearly has some high expectations of him.
And with the likes of Ilia Gruev carrying knocks after the international break it can’t be entirely dismissed that the teenager sees some action, even if that may be unlikely.
Farke had indicated earlier this month that there was a youngster who was impressing him [Yorkshire Evening Post, 7 March] so it can only be a positive that the German has followed that up by giving Crew a taste of the first-team experience.
Gray aside there hasn’t been enough of a clear pathway from the Thorp Arch academy groups to the first team recently, so anything that helps motivate youngsters to believe they can do it is a step in the right direction.
Although Charlie Cresswell has had his issues under Farke and Joe Gelhardt has faded into the background there have been some impressive showings from Mateo Joseph.
And now it looks like Crew is set to be the next homegrown prospect who is earmarked to come through.
In other Leeds United news, Phil Hay claims a senior player will be “absolutely gutted” to miss this game as a second carrying an injury may be risked.
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