Leeds United

View: Leeds United are making the right decision heading into January after big defender update

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Image for View: Leeds United are making the right decision heading into January after big defender update

Charlie Cresswell will reportedly spend the remainder of the 2022/23 season on loan with Millwall, with Leeds United not planning on activating the recall option they have in the agreement that took him to the New Den.

Leeds allowed Cresswell the opportunity to head out on loan to Millwall in the summer, with the centre-back playing 14 times in the Championship and scoring four goals for Gary Rowett’s side.

There was a point over October where Cresswell wasn’t involved in four matchday squads, although he’s battled his way back into the side and has completed four straight games heading into the World Cup break.

Football Insider are now reporting that Leeds plan on leaving Cresswell at Millwall until the end of the season.

Our writers Kris (FA5) and Alfie (N12) discuss whether or not that’s the right decision:

Gary Rowett has talked a good game about why snubbing Cresswell recently has actually been a blessing for the centre-back, and there is good reason for why he ought to stay there.

Cresswell’s career was never going to be smooth sailing right to the top, and he’s learning that the hard way with Millwall, and taking him out of a harsh environment at the first sign of trouble isn’t the best example to set him.

He’s more than talented enough to prove he should be a nailed-on starter at The Den, and a full season of continuity will do him the world of good, rather than uprooting him and having him take another month to settle into a new club in January.

From a selfish perspective, as much as it’s a learning curve for him being dropped and forced to be patient, we do need to see him play more.

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Had that trend of October continued and Rowett not brought Cresswell back into the fold, it would have made no sense to keep him at Millwall. However, since then he’s player four-and-a-half full games in the Championship and looks to have proved a point in Shaun Hutchinson’s absence.

Although it’s probably not Leeds’ main priority right now with Cresswell, I quite like the fact that he’s had to overcome a bump in the road to get his place in the side back. It’s the sign of a good professional and will serve the 20-year-old better long-term rather than a nice easy loan where his character is never tested.

That being said, for this to be an ultimate success for Leeds, they need to make sure Cresswell is going to be playing right through the season. All they’ve got to do is pick up the phone and check in with Millwall ahead of January, it’s not difficult to do.

Looking at things as they are right now, if Cresswell can get another 15-20 appearances under his belt this season, it’ll take him past 30 games, which should suffice for Leeds to call this a successful loan spell.

Millwall are probably going to give them those assurances, so it’s the right call to leave Cresswell where he is.

Should Leeds recall Cresswell in January?

Yes

Yes

No

No

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Leeds United Season Ticket Holder at Elland Road for over 20 seasons. Currently nestled in N12, but occasionally offering views from the press box. We’ve been through it all together? You bet.