Cody Drameh, Charlie Cresswell and Leo Hjelde in Leeds United plans for 2023/24 season
Leeds United are planning to have Cody Drameh, Charlie Cresswell and Leo Hjelde as part of their squad for the 2023/24 season, says Beren Cross.
The Whites were relegated to the Championship after three years in the Premier League and there is now expected to be a mass exodus at Elland Road with a host of players leaving.
But according to Leeds-Live (31 May) there are three players who the club are planning on keeping as part of their squad for next season, and all are seen as being part of the long-term future of the club.
“Cody Drameh, who played a key role in Luton Town’s run to promotion via the play-offs, is being considered by the Whites hierarchy as a part of next term’s plans,” they wrote.
“On the left side, Leo Hjelde, most recently with Rotherham United, should also be kept close to the thick of things from the start of pre-season.
“Charlie Cresswell, who was at one point considered for sale in January, will be kept in United’s senior plans for next season after a promising loan with Millwall.”
Youth
What’s the point of having a quality youth programme and signing top young talent if we never have a plan to use them?
Cresswell has long been seen as a future regular first-teamer at Elland Road, and his loan to Millwall in the 2022/23 season only justified that belief in him. That was shown further when the club opted against a permanent sale in January.
As for Drameh, there is already interest from Premier League Luton to make his transfer permanent after a successful loan spell but his talent is clear for all to see and he could easily be the future right-back for years to come considering Luke Ayling’s struggles and age.
Hjelde is a more interesting choice, but Junior Firpo has been horrible since joining and the future of Pascal Struijk is up in the air meaning this is a great opportunity for him while the club would save on cash.
This is the chance these players have been waiting for and there is no excuse for the club not to use it as a way of building the next generation if they can. Everyone wins.
In other Leeds news, £25m man has Premier League interest after the club’s relegation with an exit expected.