Leeds United open to allow Charlie Cresswell to leave on loan
Leeds United are willing to allow Charlie Cresswell to leave on loan in the summer transfer window, according to Graham Smyth of The Yorkshire Evening Post.
The report from YEP (28 June) suggests that several Championship clubs are lining up to take the “highly-rated” young defender on board, and there is a willingness from the Whites to let him go and experience regular football.
Cresswell could struggle to get regular games for the senior team next season, with Sheffield Star reporting on 21 June that Sheffield United are keen to take him on loan.
Smart decision
The 19-year-old featured five times in the Premier League in the 2021/22 campaign and it’s crucial for his development that he plays regularly.
This is an interesting dilemma. Should Jesse Marsch keep him at the club in the hope that he can be used as a back-up if there’s an injury crisis like last season?
In theory, Leeds have enough depth in their central defensive areas. Marsch has the likes of Liam Cooper, Diego Llorente, Robin Koch and Pascal Struijk as options, and as such he would really struggle to give Cresswell a run of games in the first team.
The last season was an aberration. The entire squad was ravaged by injuries, and it can happen to any side. Take Liverpool for example, who were down to their bare bones in defence a couple of seasons back.
So, it makes sense for young Cresswell to enjoy a loan spell elsewhere where he can expect to get 20-30 odd games. This will give him more confidence, as there is no better alternative for development than actually learning from mistakes, and that only happens when you get regular games rather than waste your time on the bench.
In other Leeds news, club braced for £50m bid from PL side in blockbuster transfer move.