Leeds may have just given huge hint that 20-year-old will play a huge role this season – opinion

Add as preferred source on Google

Leeds United have handed Charlie Cresswell a new four-year-deal.

The Whites confirmed earlier this afternoon that Cresswell has put pen-to-paper on a new deal until 2027, ahead of what is a potentially make or break season for him at Elland Road.

Cresswell is set for his first real crack at establishing himself as a first team regular at Leeds after an impressive loan spell at Millwall in the Championship last term.

Leeds have allowed Robin Koch, Diego Llorente and Max Wober all to leave on loan this summer with Cresswell now competing alongside Pascal Struijk, Liam Cooper and potentially a new signing for a starting berth.

However, alongside the announcement of his new deal, Leeds may have just dropped a huge hint he is set for a huge role this season.

Leeds drop hint Cresswell is set for major role this season

Cresswell has been handed the number five shirt of Leeds ahead of Sunday’s opener with Cardiff City, a notorious one for any centre-back looking to push into the first team.

Koch held it for each of the three seasons he was at Elland Road until his move to Eintracht Frankfurt, missing only two Premier League matches in 2022/23.

Cresswell had previously been number 35 at Leeds and so it is clear with this change that he is now very much considered a key part of Daniel Farke’s plans.

It is a similar situation to that of Crysencio Summerville almost exactly 12 months ago, as he was handed Raphinha’s number 10 jersey upon signing a new long-term deal at Elland Road.

If Cresswell can have a similar sort of impact to that of Summerville in his breakthrough year, then he will undoubtedly be playing a key role this season.