Leeds United boss Daniel Farke says any potential transfer moves surrounding Charlie Cresswell will rely solely on the player’s decision.
Charlie Cresswell missed out on the match day squad for Leeds’ 3-0 win over Birmingham City on Monday. With growing speculation that the defender may be leaving the club in the near future.
Goals from Patrick Bamford, Dan James and Crysencio Summerville sealed all three points for The Whites who took a step closer to the promotion playoff race.
After the game, Leeds boss Daniel Farke says leaving Cresswell out of the team was for tactical reasons, and not injury or absence:
“Charlie not here because I wanted creative player like Ian Poveda on the bench. Lacked a it in attack over the last few games. If something happens at CB we had either Gruev or Ampadu.”
When asked about Cresswell’s future at Elland Road, Farke says any decision will depend on the player himself, but Leeds would like to keep him on their books:
“We will see. He is proud and wants to play after being a main man at Millwall. Competition for places. Up to Charlie if he wants to take on this challenge and climb the ladder. If he wants something different, we will see. No coincidence we gave him a new contract. We have faith in him. Important he is happy with the challenge. On our side, there is no will to let him go.”
Ipswich, Middlesbrough and Blackburn want Cresswell
Middlesbrough, Blackburn but most notably Ipswich Town are interested in signing Cresswell.
Ipswich are one of only three teams above Leeds in the Championship, with Town occupying that all-important second and final automatic promotion spot and the prize of Premier League football.
If Farke’s side want automatic promotion, they would be wise to not give arguably their biggest rivals the boost of adding strength-in-depth to a squad that looks short should they pick up injuries.
With that in mind and given the way Leicester have run away with the league, Leeds can only gain automatic promotion through second place this season and that means overhauling Ipswich, so it would be wise, if United do sell Cresswell, to offload to a team lower down the league table.
Should Charlie Cresswell leave Leeds United?
This season, Cresswell has featured in just four games in the Championship, starting just one under Daniel Farke. This is no fault of his own, as Pascal Struijk has stepped up and taken his spot in the team, while loan signing Joe Rodon has also been immense at the back.
There is certainly no way of predicting the future, but this summer may see Leeds lose two key defenders in Liam Cooper – whose contract expires this summer and Joe Rodon who may not return to the club on a permanent deal. Asking for a loan move this January and returning to Leeds United in the summer might be the best option for the young defender.
