Tuesday night will be an evening Charlie Crew will never forget after winning his first full start for Wales, as the Leeds United gem continues to go from strength to strength.
It wasn’t Crew’s first cap for Wales, however. The midfielder, who has rejoined Doncaster Rovers on loan from Leeds after spending six months there last season, won his first cap against Gibraltar in June 2024.
He has been in and around Craig Bellamy’s side since but on Tuesday night, Bellamy chose to make a few changes. One of those saw the out-of-form Dan James come into the XI, after being a sub in Kazakhstan.
But for Crew, the Leeds midfielder was handed his second full Wales cap and his first-ever start against a Canada side that reached the Copa America semi-finals recently, under former Leeds boss Jesse Marsch.
Leeds fans excited by Charlie Crew prospect after Wales start
There was no doubting that Crew held his own in the middle of the park despite coming up against a Canada midfield that included players from Anderlecht and Sassuolo. Crew was neat, but aggressive.
His yellow card proof of that. Crew was withdrawn on 70 minutes but will have done plenty to convince Bellamy in what is a World Cup year. Leeds fans were certainly impressed with Crew’s performance on X.
Wales would eventually go on to lose 1-0 to Canada, with new Rangers signing Derek Cornelius scoring the only goal of the game. He got the better of Karl Darlow, who is set to start for Leeds on Saturday.
But plenty praised Crew, with another Leeds fan saying Crew was “playing well” while Dan James, “not so much”. Despite being on loan, another urged Leeds to “start Crew” on Saturday if Ilia Gruev is injured.
Another Leeds fan congratulated Crew on his impressive first start for Bellamy’s side, saying “well done” having “played well”. Chances may have been limited under Daniel Farke, but this made an impression.
Charlie Crew’s stats for Wales in defeat to Marsch’s Canada
Frustration will be felt by winger James, who has not looked his best this season so far. The speedy winger missed a golden chance with the score still at 0-0, his tame shot parried when he should’ve done better.
But if Crew is to win a ticket to the World Cup, should Wales qualify, he needed to shine tonight and he did just that against more senior opposition. Wales dominated the ball and it gave Crew the chance to shine.
Charlie Crew’s stats in loss to Canada
- 70 minutes played, 6.0 FotMob rating
- 40 touches, 24/32 passes successful (75%)
- One defensive contribution, one tackle, five recoveries
- Three duels won, five lost
Unless there is a recall clause in his Doncaster loan, Crew will not be able to return to Leeds until January. With Ao Tanaka and Ethan Ampadu injured, and Gruev possibly out, Leeds might have needed him.
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