According to reports, Charlie Cresswell wants to stay at Leeds United, but things can get more complicated if Ben Godfrey signs.
Charlie Cresswell, a 21-year-old who has been linked to a move away from Leeds United, has been one of the main topics of conversation throughout current transfer window.
The center back made an impression when on loan at Millwall the previous season, but since coming back to Elland Road, he has only made six appearances for the Whites in all competitions.
This summer window, the defender has been linked to several teams, including Middlesbrough, Ipswich Town, and Blackburn Rovers, either permanently or on loan. Leeds is willing to sell the player, but his pursuers would prefer a loan.
But new information has clarified Cresswell’s future at Elland Road.
Charlie Cresswell wishes to remain at Leeds United
Cresswell wants to continue at Leeds beyond this transfer window, according to Leeds manager Daniel Farke, despite the circumstances surrounding the player this month that have prevented him from being considered for first-team involvement.
The German manager praised the defender for his training efforts at his pre-match news conference prior to the Yorkshire club’s FA Cup encounter against Plymouth Argyle. He then stated that Cresswell wants to remain at Elland Road for the foreseeable future.
“Overall, he was in training the last few weeks and was very professional, honest, and open,” he stated. We’ve made the agreement, and I’ve told him as well, that I won’t add him to the matchday squad until he’s prepared.
“We have been speaking for the past few days. He is adamant about staying. The door is never closed. We were fairly clear that he had the final say.
This was a perfectly reasonable circumstance, so I wasn’t irritated by it. Last season, he was a consistent starter in the Championship. You’re overanalyzing the circumstance when you’re not playing too much. The door is currently open for re-involvement.
Cresswell included in FA Cup squad v Plymouth
Cresswell hasn’t featured for the team since his cameo against QPR in October, but his FA Cup benching for Leeds suggests that Farke may have him back in the lineup for the second part of the year.
The defender warmed up on the Elland Road touchline, where he was warmly welcomed by the club’s supporters, but he was not deployed as a substitute in the 1-1 draw against Plymouth Argyle.
Despite not being used on the field, the player’s membership in the team should offer him optimism for the future. He’s only been in the match day squad three times since October of last year, and this is the first time this year.
Despite his pre-match remarks, Cresswell was named in the squad by Farke against Plymouth, suggesting that the two had moved past their problems. If Liam Cooper and Pascal Struijk’s ailments don’t go away, we may see more of Cresswell in the second part of the season.
Ben Godfrey arrival could trigger late Cresswell loan
Ben Godfrey of Everton is a player the Whites are interested in, and this could be the reason Cresswell leaves the team before the end of the month to go on loan.
Leeds has reportedly placed an official bid for Godfrey in an effort to recruit the defender on a season-long loan, according to Football Insider.
Although it is likely that he would be used in his native position at center-back, he would be a superb signing to provide depth to the Yorkshire side’s squad due to his versatility to play all over the defensive line and in midfield.
Godfrey’s inclusion in the team would give Cresswell even less opportunities at Leeds. Given his vast Premier League experience and his status as an England international, the Everton defender is probably going to start at center back instead of Cresswell.
Leeds may allow Cresswell to leave the team on loan until the end of the season in order to give him more playing time if they were to sign the defender from the Toffees. The following season, he would probably have more opportunities because Cooper is expected to leave when his contract expires and loan signings like Joe Rodon may leave the squad after their agreements expire.
