George Overhill

Mon 31 July 2023 21:10, UK

Daniel Farke prioritising centre-back in the transfer market is a surprise when Charlie Cresswell is back at Leeds United and ready for a “big role”, according to BBC Leeds’ Jonny Buchan.

The Whites boss has just lost key defender Max Wober to a Borussia Monchengladbach loan late in the window, but youngster Cresswell, 20, is back from a year at Millwall and according to Buchan has “matured a lot” after giving interviews to the media last week (25 July).

But amid a possible move to sign versatile free agent defender Sam Byram, and despite injuries to both Patrick Bamford and Georginio Rutter in the friendly win over Hearts on Sunday (30 July) Farke apparently is still focused on centre-back.

Speaking on Don’t Go To Bed Just Yet for the BBC on Monday (31 July, 10m 55s) at the prospect of more academy products getting into the first team Buchan said: “That’s what people need, they need something to get behind. Whether that’s a star player doing whatever they can do, or whether that’s these young players coming through.

“I think Charlie could have a big role to play this season, and that’s why I’m a little bit surprised that centre-half is the key appointment at the moment according to Daniel Farke.”

Question marks

Cresswell should be given an opportunity to stake a claim to a role in the Leeds United first team this season, but it is no surprise that Farke still wants more options.

There are still questions over whether the youngster might leave and captain Liam Cooper’s injury record is patchy of late.

There far fewer options available after Wober joined Robin Koch, Diego Llorente and Rasmus Kristensen out on loan, even if only the Austrian really performed last season, so it would only take an injury or two to spell a crisis at Elland Road this season.

Leo Hjelde and Pascal Struijk could work, but amid further questions at left-back both might be needed as cover there, and Ethan Ampadu would be dragged away from midfield if he was forced to fill in.

So one more brought in makes a lot of sense, even if Cresswell is in line for a central role in the new campaign.

The need for another number nine is never-ending, and Bamford picking up yet another injury on the eve of the season, even if it isn’t serious, should be seen as a warning.

Relegation is arguably the perfect time to finally integrate the likes of Cresswell and Cody Drameh but it is hard to escape the conclusion that this squad still needs a striker, a central midfielder, a centre-back and a left-back to be ready for a full campaign.

In other Leeds United news, a “classy” option whose contract is running out from a Premier League side is on the cards to fulfil Farke’s priority.