Charlie Cresswell has been busy aiming another dig at Leeds United manager Daniel Farke after being awarded the champion of developing players in French football.
It is fair to say, Cresswell has enjoyed a stellar spell in France for England’s U21 side since leaving Leeds in the summer of 2024. He made the surprise move to Toulouse for a fee believed to be less than £4m.
Following Leeds’ relegation in 2023, a handful of Leeds youngsters will have eyed the chance to break in to the Leeds side. Joe Gelhardt, Mateo Joseph, Archie Gray and Cresswell were among that list of players.
While Gray and Joseph became integral first-team players, Gelhardt and Cresswell struggled. That season, Cresswell played just seven times. Farke questioned the attitude of the centre-back in a press conference.
Charlie Cresswell aims dig at Daniel Farke over lack of game time
Cresswell chose to leave and join Toulouse, where he has since thrived. He’s already only six games shy of playing 50 times for Toulouse and remarkably, he has had a hand in 10 goals, scoring seven himself.
Cresswell also played a key role in England U21s European Championship win in the summer, his second triumph. Premier League clubs are taking notice of Cresswell’s form, including David Moyes at Everton.
Speaking to Football Logue, Cresswell said: “For young foreign players, it’s a great time to come to France and play in Ligue 1. Many clubs trust young players. Coaches have no problem playing young players.
“No problem at all. Whereas in England, it’s harder to break into the first team because they really see you as a ‘kid’ at 18, 19, or 20 years old… Even here, at the Toulouse academy, the Pitchouns are brilliant.
In France, if they think a player is good enough, he will play. He’ll get opportunities and full confidence. As a result, the player feels incredibly good, which can only be beneficial for himself, and for the club.”
Why Farke won’t agree with Cresswell’s latest dig over game time
It is not the first time Cresswell has had a dig at Farke. Even Cresswell’s father, Richard Cresswell, was not happy about the situation at Leeds. A former Leeds player, Richard works closely with Leeds as an agent.
But Farke won’t agree, and that is evident when discussing calls to use Harry Gray. Farke reminded fans that he is a manager who prides himself on using younger players when and where he possibly can.
“If I were to back a manager to be brave enough to play a young player, to know what a young player needs, I’d pick me. Harry needs to train with the first team, experience physicality of the Premier League.”
In Farke’s mind, it wasn’t about not giving Cresswell game time because his football talent wasn’t worthy. But it was the form of Joe Rodon, and the attitude shown behind the scenes that saw Cresswell sidelined.
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