Charlie Cresswell expected to push for Leeds United exit in January amid Pascal Stuijk development
Charlie Cresswell is certain to push for a Leeds United exit in January if he isn’t given a chance to play while Pascal Struijk is out, according to Carlton Palmer.
The pundit told Football League World (12 November) that the English defender has a “bright future” but his “development has been hampered” at Elland Road having only come on as an 89th-minute substitute once since August (against QPR on 4 October).
Joe Rodon and Struijk’s partnership in the Whites defence has been hard to break but with the the latter currently out after hernia surgery and his role then filled by captain Liam Cooper it is expected that Cresswell, 21, will want out in order to play.
Palmer said: “I think it must be a given that if Charlie Cresswell doesn’t get a chance in Struijk’s absence at Leeds United he pushes to leave Leeds in the January transfer window to get game time.
“Charlie has featured just four times in the Championship this season, with just one of those being starts and his last appearance came in the form of a brief cameo in October against Queens Park Rangers.
“The summer signing of Joe Rodon on loan from Spurs pushed Cresswell further down the pecking order so now the young centre-back finds himself as fourth choice.
“Cresswell has not even made the last four match-day squads (before Leeds faced Plymouth this past weekend) – as a result his development has been hampered.
“So, I think it is imperative that Cresswell gets out on loan in January to continue gaining experience.
“He has a very bright future ahead of him.”
Forgotten man
Daniel Farke can hardly be blamed for sending out Rodon and Struijk wherever possible this season as they have been a very significant part of the strong form so far.
But, despite the German getting the majority of the decisions right this term, he could arguably be criticised for not ensuring Cresswell was more involved.
It was seen as a surprise that Farke was so intent on adding a centre-back in the summer when the former Whites Under-21s captain was back from his loan at Millwall and apparently ready to take on a bigger role at Elland Road.
The manager has clearly been vindicated in picking up Rodon on loan from Tottenham because the Welshman has been excellent.
But at such a key point in Cresswell’s career he is currently taking a big step backwards after making 30 appearances at The Den last season.
Farke made a point of praising the youngster’s attitude despite his lack of action after the 3-0 win over Watford [Yorkshire Evening Post, 23 September] but has only given him that single, brief appearance off the bench since.
It is true that Leeds United have an enviable squad this season and it is impossible to keep everyone happy, but Cresswell’s regular absence from even the match-day squad is unexpected.
Farke has relegated veteran Luke Ayling at right-back in favour of both Archie Gray and Jamie Shackleton, with Djed Spence presumably to come back in ahead of him as well.
And yet he has persisted with Cooper as the primary back-up centre-back, as he did for the 2-1 win over Plymouth Argyle at the weekend with Struijk out, when it seems like Cresswell has a lot more upside.
In other Leeds United news, yet another defender looks set to miss time amid an injury update shared by Phil Hay.