Rodrigo comments on Leeds defender Charlie Cresswell’s performance v West Ham
Leeds United forward Rodrigo has showered praise on Charlie Cresswell after he made his Premier League debut against West Ham last Saturday.
The Whites are yet to win a league game this season after suffering a heart-breaking 2-1 defeat against the Hammers at Elland Road.
Despite Leeds taking an early lead, West Ham came from behind to seal all three points, with Michail Antonio scoring a last-gasp winner.
Leeds were already without Robin Koch and Diego Llorente through injuries, while Pascal Struijk was serving a suspension following his red card that he picked up against Liverpool.
Marcelo Bielsa was forced to use Cresswell from the start after Luke Ayling got injured as well. The youngster revealed that he came to know that he was starting the game only five minutes before the warm-up.
Rodrigo has now praised the youngster, saying it was a “great” debut.
“It was a great debut for Cressy, especially because he only knew he was going to play 40 minutes before the game, when he found out Luke Ayling wasn’t going to play,” said Rodrigo, as quoted by Yorkshire Evening Post.
“I think we have to congratulate him for his performance. I am really happy for him. He is a really good guy. Unfortunately we couldn’t achieve the win [for him].”
Exciting talent
Bielsa has a great track record of grooming youngsters, and the Argentine always gives chances to young talents if they are good enough.
The young central defender has already impressed in the Carabao Cup clash against Fulham, and Bielsa didn’t hesitate to throw him into the mix against a strong West Ham side.
Cresswell did well considering the circumstances, and it would be really harsh to find out flaws in his game, especially since Leeds became quite flat once West Ham started to dominate the game.
What should really worry the Leeds fans is that the Whites are failing to match the intensity of last season. Probably, a run of few wins will galvanize the squad once again.
Leeds have only picked up three points from their opening six games, and they have dropped into the relegation zone behind Newcastle United on goal difference.
In other Leeds United news, Watford are signing this player after he quit Elland Road.