Charlie Cresswell, a center-back for Leeds United, played for the U21s against Everton on Monday, thus he was not with the team when they traveled to Middlesbrough.
Leeds’ defensive prowess, which has been enhanced by Joe Rodon and Ethan Ampadu’s excellent connection during Pascal Struijk’s absence, has been a major factor in their 2024 form turnaround.
However, it does worry others lower down the hierarchy, like Charlie Cresswell, when two players in one position become such a force.
Leeds’ win against Middlesbrough on Monday wasn’t the only Whites action of the day, as the U21s took on Everton in the PL2 earlier on that day.
Leeds has struggled this season, finishing near the bottom of the table, so a 1-1 tie was pretty standard fare for them, but there was one noteworthy addition to the team.
According to Leeds’ website, 21-year-old Cresswell was listed in the starting lineup and played for 90 minutes despite not traveling to Teesside with the first team:
Cresswell has to be weighing up his future at Leeds
Given how well he performed at Millwall the previous season and signed a new contract in August, few Leeds supporters would have predicted that Cresswell would find himself in this position multiple times in our 21s this season.
However, it appears that his odds haven’t changed after Daniel Farke publicly said he wouldn’t be on the team while continuing to act poorly when he wasn’t playing.
Given the impending summer and Cresswell’s continued inclusion in the England U21 roster, there will undoubtedly be interested parties willing to purchase him from Leeds for a reasonable cost.
Regarding the defender himself, he probably believes that, regardless of the division the Whites play in for 24/25, his chances of playing regularly for Leeds are going to be limited.
From Cresswell’s point of view, the fact that Leeds suddenly appear far less likely to get promoted automatically or via the playoffs following their crushing of QPR may be heartening, since it means he may have an opportunity the following season.
You couldn’t blame him, though, if he had already made up his mind.
