This predicament could compel Leeds to enter the transfer market.
Daniel Farke has definitely landed on a preferred centre-back partnership at Leeds United this season, with Pascal Struijk and Spurs loanee Joe Rodon combining for over 4,000 minutes of playing time. Club captain Liam Cooper has also appeared on occasion (637 minutes), but Charlie Cresswell has stood out due to his lack of appearances thus far.
Cresswell has only played four Championship games, none since early October. His last start came in the 1-0 defeat to Birmingham City in the second game of the season, and he’s only been in the squad for three of the last 17 league games.
Farke addressed the subject publicly last week, stating that Cresswell had not been “switched on and focused” when not playing and had expressed dissatisfaction with his situation to the manager. Farke determined that he wasn’t “fully committed” to the cause based on this, and has effectively removed him from the first team.
Farke thinks Cresswell wants out.
Journalist Phil Hay discussed Cresswell’s issue on the Square Ball Podcast, which is available via Leeds United News. Farke apparently believes the Englishman doesn’t “really want to be here” right now, which might lead to his departure.
The German is reportedly “adamant” that the squad should have four senior centre-halves, so his potential departure may drive Leeds to take action and recruit a new player to fill that backup post.
Wober may provide Cresswell solution.
Many Leeds fans expected Cresswell to play an important part this season. While on loan to Millwall last year, he gained vital Championship experience, starting 25 of the 35 games for which he was available. It wasn’t like this was in the bottom depths of the division; Cresswell helped Millwall finish only one point behind the play-off places.
Then, in the summer, he was a member of England’s under-21 squad that won the European Championships without allowing a single goal, playing the entire 90 minutes in a 2-0 group-stage win against Germany. Leeds appeared to have a great talent on their hands, not only in the immediate term but also in the future, and now, just a few months later, things are threatening to unravel completely.
Leeds United have already signed a handful of centre-backs since their relegation from the Premier League at the end of last season. Robin Koch joined Bundesliga team Eintracht Frankfurt on an initial loan, but they used the opportunity to negotiate a pre-contract agreement with a player whose Leeds contract expires at the end of the season.
Meanwhile, Diego Llorente made a temporary move to Roma, but the deal includes a £18 million buyout clause, meaning he may have played his final game in a white shirt.
There is no such mechanism in the loan arrangement that allowed Max Wober to move to Borussia Monchengladbach, which might have serious implications. It’s uncertain whether Leeds will be able to recall Wober if Cresswell leaves, although there could be a defensive opening for him next season.
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