“Argument for cashing in" - Charlie Cresswell claim made with Leeds United future in limbo | OneFootball

This article is part of Football League World's 'Terrace Talk' series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…

Charlie Cresswell has struggled for game time since returning to Leeds United in the summer.

The defender has made just five appearances in the Championship for Daniel Farke’s side, including only one start (all stats from Fbref).

The 21-year-old spent the previous campaign on loan at Millwall, where he played 28 times as the Lions fought for a play-off place.

However, he has been unable to force his way into Farke’s first team plans at Elland Road, leading to questioning over his future at the club.

Promotion to the Premier League for next season would only pile on the speculation, with the player’s contract running until the summer of 2027.

Charlie Cresswell “needs another loan”

FLW’s Leeds fan pundit Kris Smith believes another loan move is needed if Cresswell is to maintain a future at the club.

However, he has claimed that a permanent sale may be more beneficial to the Yorkshire outfit due to academy player sales being good for financial fair play compliance.

“Personally, I don’t think Charlie Cresswell is ready to be playing in a promotion-chasing side, so that becomes even more of an issue for him in the summer if we do get promoted because we’ll be a top flight side, so an even better one,” Smith told Football League World.

“He needs another loan in a side that plays a bit more football than Millwall did to get minutes under his belt in the Championship, continue developing, maybe hone some skills he’s quite weak on in terms of actually playing out from the back.

“But there could be an argument for cashing in on him, getting rid.

“We won’t be playing him in the Premier League if we’re promoted because you look at Joe Rodon’s already miles ahead of him in the pecking order, even Ethan Ampadu, Pascal Struijk and you imagine we’d sign someone else, or even two.

“The money he would bring in would be quite a big boost for us in terms of FFP.

“Something that we have to keep in mind now that looking at what’s happening to Everton and Leicester and Nottingham Forest.

“The league is clamping down on teams like that.

“It is a shame for Cresswell that it’s not worked out given that he is a Leeds fan, and he’s come through the academy, but I don’t see the situation getting any better with time because we’re just going to progress with time as well.”

Leeds United league position

Leeds are fighting for promotion to the Premier League this season, which could see Cresswell fall even further down the pecking order if achieved.

The Whites are currently second in the table, but only lead Ipswich Town by one point.

There are nine games remaining, with four sides in contention for the top two spots.

Next up for Farke’s team is a home game against Millwall on 17 March.

Cresswell’s future lies away from Leeds

It’s hard to see how Cresswell could be a part of the first team squad at Leeds next season regardless of what division they compete in.

The centre-back has struggled for game time, which has hampered his development.

He needs to be gaining better first team experience by playing regularly, so a loan move needs to be found at the very least.

A permanent move may prove the most beneficial for everybody, but that will depend on whether someone will make an offer that the Yorkshire outfit feels is satisfactory.