Leeds United: Adam Pope and Jonny Buchan upset by ‘staggering’ development at Elland Road
Charlie Cresswell appears to be leaving Leeds United, which Adam Pope calls a “real shame.” Jonny Buchan adds that it is “staggering” that he was not involved in the match against Peterborough United.
Seldom seen Cresswell was left out of the Whites’ 18-man roster for their FA Cup third-round match at The Weston Homes Stadium on Sunday, January 7.
Despite Pascal Struijk and Liam Cooper suffering from injuries, Daniel Farke chose to start Ethan Ampadu alongside Joe Rodon in the middle of defence.
Pope said, “It’s so sad because he signs this new deal, he’s got the number five shirt so you think he’s starting, and I’m thinking ‘great'” on the BBC podcast Don’t Go To Bed Just Yet [8 January, 6m 33s].
I don’t like to see players that come through the academy depart without a genuine opportunity, but I try not to let my own opinions get in the way of this.
“Now that I think about it, Joe Rodon has been great. However, it is truly unfortunate that Cresswell is gone and that Leeds will never see him again. What a gifted player he is. For me, yesterday pretty much clinched the deal, barring any extraordinary circumstances.
Buchan continued, “He mentioned hoping to play more when I interviewed him before to the season starting. That day, he had a great speech. “But here we are with him, not part of the team for an FA Cup match.” Stunning.
Regular football is required.
Since returning from his Millwall loan last season, Cresswell has only appeared in four league games for Leeds, with only one of those appearances being a start.
In fact, since before the November international break, the academy graduate has just once been named in Farke’s matchday squad.
Though the trip to Peterborough appeared like the ideal opportunity to get some minutes for Cresswell, Farke still has choices at the back. Who knows, maybe he was the star of the show.
Right now, it appears that he will leave Elland Road before taking part in another match. Nevertheless, despite earlier claims, a return to Millwall is still far from finalised, according to Alan Nixon [8 January].
For whatever reason, Cresswell has not fulfilled the much larger role that was anticipated of him this season. He will undoubtedly be keen to join a team where he can play regularly because he was an England Under-21 international.
Even though Leeds may come to regret this choice, it was the appropriate one to make if he is now so far down the ladder that he isn’t even able to make the substitutes’ bench.
In another development:
Despite being informed of Nottingham Forest’s interest in Neco Williams, Phil Hay does not believe Leeds United will have the opportunity to recruit the Welshman this month.
The 22-year-old full-back looks to be valued by new City Ground manager Nuno Espirito Santo, thus rumours of a move during the window are probably going nowhere, according to a journalist with The Athletic speaking on The Square Ball podcast on August 8.
Hay refuted Daniel Farke’s assertion that the Whites have a surplus of full-backs despite Djed Spence’s loan being terminated and predicted some strengthening at the position in January, although he acknowledged that transfer activity was currently “very, very quiet.”
When asked about goals at Elland Road (23 minutes and 30 seconds), Hay responded, “A few people have been telling us that they like Neco Williams at Forest as well.”
However, I don’t believe that there is much room for Forest to let him go. At the very least, Nuno appears to have high hopes for him.
I have to admit that Leeds is now experiencing an extreme lack of activity regarding transfers. I was aware of the Farke quotations. “At full-back, we’re pretty well covered,” he said. Sincerely, I can’t say that it feels that way.
Ominous?
Quiet doesn’t always imply nothing is going on behind the scenes, but it would be alarming if Farke was being truthful in his evaluation of the defense’s circumstances.
It’s possible that he was trying to keep things under wraps so as to avoid making Leeds United appear desperate after Spence returned to Tottenham, and it makes sense if Nick Hammond and company are trying to close deals quietly in order to avoid competition.However, with Luke Ayling on the right appearing out of favour and Sam Byram’s injuries on the left beginning to pile up, the Whites do appear to be one mistake away from a crisis at the back, particularly considering that Archie Grey and Jamie Shackleton aren’t experts.
Williams was targeted by Leeds from Forest in the summer, and he was rumoured to be heading for a loan move in January [Telegraph, 3 November], even though he was having trouble finding a game under Steve Cooper.
Hay’s decision isn’t encouraging, but the 37-cap former Liverpool player would make a lot of sense for Leeds United at this point, not least in teaming up with his fellow countrymen who are both important players for Farke. It wouldn’t be surprising if the club was still interested in a deal.
