Leeds United

Leeds United: Adam Pope tips Charlie Cresswell as a future leader

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Image for Leeds United: Adam Pope tips Charlie Cresswell as a future leader

BBC Sport journalist Adam Pope has claimed that young Leeds United defender Charlie Cresswell will be a future ‘leader’ at the club.

At the start of this season, the 20-year-old centre-back left the Whites to go and spend a year in the Championship on loan with London outfit Millwall.

Despite his relatively young age, Cresswell immediately established himself as a regular in the senior team and has since played 14 times in the league for his new side.

Back at Leeds in the Premier League, however, it seems as though question marks are lingering over their remaining senior defenders. Indeed, while speaking on a BBC Sport radio show, Pope said beyond captain Liam Cooper, he wasn’t sure if there was another defensive leader at the club right now.

He said (9:35): “I think Cooper gets slated if he makes one mistake. He scores through the day against Bournemouth and then just powers his way through the rest of the game. He really led.

“I don’t see that in [Diego] Llorente. I don’t see it in [Robin] Koch, although I think Koch is the most capable right-side centre-back, definitely.

“I see it in Charlie Cresswell. I think he’ll be a leader coming through.”

He then added: “I didn’t want him to go on loan to be fair.”

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TIF thoughts on Charlie Cresswell and Leeds…

Cresswell made quite the start to life at Millwall, netting twice on his debut despite playing as a centre-back – he has since added two further goals and one assist.

Of course, his goalscoring feats probably won’t define him as a defender or a leader, but they are always helpful in winning over new fans. Perhaps what shows his better leadership qualities is the way he is willing to put his body on the line for the team.

For instance, when he helped keep a clean sheet in a goalless draw against Hull City, Cresswell suffered a gruesome injury after being booted in the face. After the match, he simply posted ‘Love this game’ with a picture of his battle wounds.

It will certainly be interesting to see if his is given a proper shot at breaking into the Leeds team next term when he returns from his loan.

Will Charlie Cresswell make it at Leeds?

Yes

Yes

No

No

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