Charlie Cresswell should leave Leeds United in January, one league start so far
Charlie Cresswell should contemplate a move away from Leeds United in the January transfer window as the club and Daniel Farke continue to overlook the 21-year-old defender.
Leeds United have had one of their most successful starts to a season, claiming 38 points from a possible 57 and sitting third in the Championship. Academy graduate Cresswell, however, has made just one league start in a 1-0 defeat to Birmingham City.
Middlesbrough have registered their interest in the 21-year-old defender as Michael Carrick attempts to rediscover his side’s prior form, according to The Sun (2 December).
While the defender is a very exciting prospect at Elland Road, being a rather prominent figure for England U21s, Cresswell has been discounted by Daniel Farke and will likely feel frustrated with his current game time.
With a single league start, and three further substitute appearances, totalling an extra 39 minutes, the central defender has only been trusted properly in Leeds’ EFL Cup fixtures, a competition in which they have been knocked out.
There seems to no longer be a position on the bench for Cresswell, with Liam Cooper and Djed Spence the most recent defensive duo to warm the bench while Joe Rodon and Pascal Struijk make up the on-pitch centre-back partnership.
Although Paddy McNair and Rav van den Berg have played in the majority of Middlesbrough’s fixtures this season, there is no reason to suggest that Cresswell could not cement his place in Carrick’s starting XI if he were to make the transfer in January.
And if The Boro can become more consistent and pick up more points, Leeds may have helped a fellow promotion hopeful’s season with a nifty centre-back acquirement. The Whites will be keen to avoid this.
This move would also leave Leeds with much to ponder come the end of the season, with a stark defensive situation on their hands. Rodon is only on loan, and Tottenham Hotspur could request a hefty fee to make the move permanent, while Cooper’s time at the club could end.
Come June, we will potentially see Diego Llorente and Max Wober return from their European loans, which could further hinder Cresswell’s chances at Elland Road next season. Now is the time for him to escape and aid his development.
However, a move would not just benefit the player, and Leeds would be cashing in on a very young and inexperienced gold mine.
There will be a sentimental feeling if Cresswell is to leave Leeds anytime soon. But with 13 senior appearances after three years and a loan out to Millwall in 2022/23, hope is dwindling that the youngster may make it at Leeds.
In other Leeds United news, a BBC commentator shared something he’s never seen before v Middlesbrough.