Daniel Farke wants to keep his Leeds United squad together this month.
With Leeds hunting for automatic promotion, Farke is alleged to have told his players that they must stay at Elland Road for the rest of the season, regardless of their circumstances.
However, after Leeds‘ 3-0 win against Birmingham City on New Year’s Day, Farke appeared to soften his stance on one man who is garnering a lot of attention.
Charlie Cresswell is the individual in question. Farke stated after the game that while he wants him to stay, it is equally crucial for the club to consider what the player wants.
And, on the most recent episode of the Square Ball Podcast, Athletic journalist Phil Hay revealed that Cresswell is dissatisfied with his present lack of playing time at Elland Road.
Leeds should release Cresswell.
“Cresswell’s situation is interesting,” he said. As you’d expect, there’s a lot of interest in him. He and Gelhardt have both been notified in recent weeks that they will be required to stay.
“Farke was saying [after Birmingham] Cresswell is a player they don’t want to lose, but he did add that you have to consider the player’s wishes as well.”
“Cresswell is clearly unhappy with his lack of minutes; he’s simply not getting a look at all.” Farke wanted more creativity with Poveda, thus he didn’t start against Birmingham.
“He will want to play and if you’re not even getting into the matchday squad you very quickly reach the mindset, why do you want me to stay?”
With both Pascal Struijk and Liam Cooper potentially out, Cresswell could make his first FA Cup start since August against Peterborough United tomorrow.
Cresswell has only played one minute of football in the last four months, which is insufficient for him to reach his full potential at this stage of his career.
Leeds should aim to move Cresswell on for the sake of his career, but they must also have a replacement set up.
