Charlie Cresswell agent shares what Leeds United said before transfer
Charlie Cresswell left Leeds United to join Toulouse in the summer, with his agent admitting there was no going back at Elland Road after talks.
When the 22-year-old’s representative, Hayden Evans, informed the Whites about some interest in him, they immediately told him how much they wanted to sell.
The Englishman subsequently moved to Toulouse for £3.8 million [BBC, 8 July] and has been a regular first-team player in France.
On The Square Ball podcast, Evans said: “Cressie is the weird one. In most people’s opinions, he’s that sort of centre-back that should be on the bench right now possibly, you know, that they would have been a part to play.
“But then you’ve got a situation where he’s clearly not fancied because other people were getting in front of him, getting minutes off the bench in front of him. So the writing was totally on the wall.
“And when we tested the club by saying we might have some interest and the club go ‘fine, this is how much we want’, it’s done. There’s no going back from that.”
Leeds United could’ve done with keeping Charlie Cresswell
The Peacocks have relied on Joe Rodon and Pascal Struijk at the back this season, with the duo forming a decent partnership.
Daniel Farke’s team have kept 10 clean sheets in the Championship, conceding only 13 goals in 17 matches.
But the Whites’ defensive frailties were on display at Ewood Park on 30 November as they were beaten 1-0, losing their berth at the top of the league table.
Leeds clearly lack depth in their defensive ranks, with Max Wober the only experienced centre-back option on the bench for Farke.
The Austrian only recently returned from injury, and the Peacocks were lucky not to lose another defender during that period.
Cresswell’s departure might’ve seemed inconsequential in the previous transfer window, but it’s now potentially coming back to bite the West Yorkshire club.
Ethan Ampadu can play at centre-back, but he’s been on the sidelines for several weeks now, and James Debayo has had to be called upon to fill the numbers in the squad.
Rodon and Struijk look fatigued and could do with some rest, but with a busy period ahead, it’s unlikely that Farke will be able to give them any respite.
It’s safe to say that the Creswell decision may have backfired.
In other Leeds news, a barrier has emerged regarding the transfer interest in Patrick Bamford.
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