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Graham Smyth: Charlie Cresswell has transfer decision to make at Leeds United
Graham Smyth has claimed Charlie Cresswell has a decision to make on his Leeds United future, and whether his desire to succeed at Elland Road outweighs what might be best for his career.
The Yorkshire Evening Post journalist has suggested Cresswell’s lack of consistent playing time this season could force him to look elsewhere in January, having spent last season on loan at Millwall.
It is also stated that Daniel Farke would be unlikely to sanction an exit for the 21-year-old defender, who may have to hope he can capitalise on potential injuries to current first-team starters.
Writing for the Yorkshire Evening Post on 18 October, Smyth shared: “[Cresswell] not playing or not even getting into the squad when Liam Cooper, Struijk and Rodon are fit is evidently not how he saw this season panning out.
“Injury to others could, as it did this week with the Young Lions, grant Cresswell access to regular football but at Leeds, at present, it looks like two injuries and not one would have to occur.
“Come January, if the situation remains as it is currently, Cresswell will also have a decision to make. Being a part of something special at Leeds is a real possibility but how special will it be if he is not really part of it? Does ‘side before self’ apply if you don’t get to play for the side?
“Farke’s admiration for both Cresswell and Shackleton, not to mention his usage of the latter, makes it unlikely that he would happily sanction exits for either.”
Needs to consider what’s best
Cresswell needs to consider what would be best for his own career, rather than his loyalties and desire to succeed at Elland Road. He proved at Millwall last season he could cut it at the top end of the Championship, but the depth of Leeds’ squad doesn’t favour him.
His four Championship appearances from a possible 11 so far this season look unlikely to be added to with the form of Joe Rodon and Pascal Struijk unless injuries and rotation give him the odd opportunity, but he may be better off looking for regular minutes elsewhere.
His performances for England Under 21s during the international break have been impressive as he helped his side to a 9-1 win before losing 3-2 in the next game, but it’s unlikely to be enough to earn him a starting place.
As Smyth says, Cresswell has a big decision to make in January, but it will also be up to Farke to decide where he sees the defender featuring in his squad.
In other Leeds United news, a loanee has tasked his management with securing him a permanent move.