Charlie Cresswell’s future as a Leeds United defender seemed especially uncertain when Daniel Farke disqualified him from consideration for selection last month, especially because the January transfer market was still open.
One guy who would have preferred to have played a lot more this season is Charlie Cresswell. Now, it is easy to forget that he was heavily involved in the first two league games. Since then, though, he has only made three appearances as a substitute in the Championship.
He really had a hard time making the bench for the majority of the campaign. Thus, it came as no surprise when, in the middle of January, Daniel Farke was questioned about his circumstances.
Charlie Cresswell now showing exactly what Daniel Farke wanted to see
Cresswell wouldn’t be taken into consideration for selection, according to Farke, unless his attitude altered or he was able to find another job.
Hearing Farke be so forthright in public on the center-back’s place in the team surprised me. Furthermore, a lot of us undoubtedly thought the defender would move on as a result of the remarks.
Cresswell, on the other hand, would remain in his position and has now been included in the Championship’s past five matchday squads. Earlier this month, he came in for the last minutes against Rotherham.
It appears that Cresswell is taking Farke’s challenge to heart. And with that, following Friday night’s victory over Leicester City, there was a wonderful moment between the two players.
Naturally, a lot of us were enthralled with the remarkable spectacle of Archie Grey and Georginio Rutter twirling about the ground, spearheading the festivities following the 3-1 triumph.
Before the Leeds manager continued to take in more of the ambiance, the LUTV cameras also captured Daniel Farke and Cresswell appearing to exchange a high five and a joke. It was not the conversation of two individuals who don’t spend much time together.
Notably, Cresswell was among the first players—on or off the field—to apprehend Archie Grey in the instant following the 17-year-old’s goal that gave Leeds the advantage over the Foxes.
Defender very much committed to the cause
If this was a player who felt detached from the current situation at Elland Road, or had checked out in any manner, Cresswell certainly did a great job of hiding it.
Cresswell still has a significant obstacle if he hopes to break into the starting lineup anytime soon, especially if we are promoted from this position.
However, there have previously been grounds for doubt about individuals such as Patrick Bamford, Georginio Rutter, Daniel James, Junior Firpo, and Illan Meslier. And on Friday, all five of those players played against Leicester. It seems that Cresswell is now making every effort to position himself in case Farke senses that he has a chance. We shouldn’t ignore that.
