Leeds United transfer update: Charlie Cresswell and Joe Gelhardt could leave for Blackburn Rovers if condition met – pundit
It would be a “win-win” for Leeds United to let Charlie Cresswell and Joe Gelhardt both head to Blackburn Rovers on loan this month, according to Carlton Palmer.
The former Whites and England midfielder told Football League World on 9 January that the exit-linked pair could benefit from more game time at Ewood Park while taking points off promotion rivals of their parent club.
Neither have seen more than a few minutes of action under Daniel Farke for months now and interest is thought to be extensive in taking them for the rest of the campaign during the January window, with Cresswell in particular said to be unhappy with his situation at Elland Road currently.
Palmer said: “According to reports, Blackburn Rovers are attempting an audacious bid to strike a double deal in signing Joe Gelhardt and Charlie Cresswell on loan from Leeds. Both players haven’t featured much for Leeds this season with only 10 Championship appearances to date between them.
“Daniel Farke has previously stated that he wouldn’t be entertaining any offers to loan the two players out in January as Leeds push for promotion, with concerns over injuries and suspensions. But it’s believed that if Blackburn offer close to their full salaries, they’d let them go out on loan so they can get first-team football.
“Given Blackburn’s position this season, this could be a win-win. The lads get valuable game time and experience in their development, and could help Leeds by taking points against their promotion rivals with Blackburn.”
Stagnating
Both Gelhardt and Cresswell are talented young players that Leeds United should be looking to develop into the next generation of regulars, or at the very least helping boost their transfer value if they don’t see long-term futures for them in West Yorkshire.
Having them kick about at Thorp Arch without playing doesn’t seem to benefit anybody, and it undercuts the argument that they are needed as injury or suspension cover if they haven’t been used even in such situations for weeks.
This being Leeds it would of course be typical if one or both left on loan this month and the squad was instantly hit by an injury crisis in attack and central defence.
But if Farke hasn’t got plans to give them substitute appearances at least then it seems to make a lot of sense to let them make temporary moves.
With both of their contracts said to be sizeable for this level [Alan Nixon, 8 January] it might be easier said than done to expect a club, whether it be Blackburn or any other interested suitor, to cover their full wages.
But, just as when Sam Greenwood scored the winner for Sunderland against Leicester City on 11 November, Palmer is right that players like Gelhardt and Cresswell would likely be of more use to the club featuring elsewhere than doing very little at Leeds.
In other Leeds United news, a Premier League giant is now looking to sign a key Whites player in the summer window.