‘My dream’: Leeds youngster says he’s hoping to play a lot more this season

Add as preferred source on Google

Charlie Cresswell is hoping this season will be his opportunity to establish himself at Leeds United.

Cresswell was speaking in an interview with the Yorkshire Evening Post at Leeds’ media day yesterday, where he remained tight-lipped on the prospect of a new contract, but did not hold back on his hopes for the season.

The 20-year-old spent last season on loan at Millwall in the Championship where he scored five goals in 28 appearances before a fractured eye socket cut his season short in April.

Cresswell was forced to come through some tough times during his stint in the capital, with a tough first half of the season seeing him lose his place for prolonged periods on a couple of occasions.

However, Cresswell undoubtedly came out of the other side stronger and between January and April, was a regular at the heart of Millwall’s back four.

Cresswell hoping for regular game time at Leeds this season

He will now be looking to take that momentum from his performances at Millwall into Leeds and establish himself as a key figure in Leeds’ defence this season.

He said: “That’s my goal – obviously, I’m not gonna sit here and lie to you and say that’s not what I want to do, because that is my dream, ever since I was a little boy, I wanted to play for Leeds United.

“And hopefully this season I’ve got a chance to do so. It’s a big year for me personally in there. But it’s also a big year for the lads, you know, just been relegated from the Premier League and wanting to bounce straight back up.”

At this stage, Cresswell remains Leeds’ only recognised right-sided centre-back with Diego Llorente and Robin Koch having left on loan this summer.

Leeds are said to be in the market for a new one but it feels unlikely someone will be signed in that position before the Championship opener with Cardiff City next weekend.

Unless Daniel Farke opts to go with a more experienced partnership of Liam Cooper and Pascal Struijk, that could really hand Cresswell his chance to stake a claim.