Leeds have produced several top talents over the years, two of which are Harry Gray and Charlie Cresswell.
Unfortunately, the latter is no longer at Elland Road following a fallout with Daniel Farke, who questioned his attitude in January 2024 when saying: “If you think you have the right to start ahead of (Joe) Rodon or (Pascal) Struijk, it’s not possible. He won’t be picked by myself until he’s mentally ready.”
The German consistently overlooked Charlie Cresswell despite an impressive loan spell to Millwall in the 2022/23 campaign, and he is now shining at Toulouse following a £3.8m move to France in July 2024.
After Farke mishandled such a talent and later spent £15m on Jaka Bijol to bolster the defence instead, Cresswell will surely disagree with the 49-year-old on his Harry Gray verdict at Leeds.
Daniel Farke cannot claim to be the best manager for Harry Gray after regretful Charlie Cresswell situation
Back in September, Farke confidently claimed that he is the best possible coach Gray could have at this stage in his career, saying: “I don’t want to sound arrogant, but I gave Harry his debut in the crunch time.
A big decision for Leeds United to make… should Harry Gray be sent out on loan?
“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.”
The fact Cresswell is now performing as well as Kylian Mbappe statistically and is also one of the best at Toulouse suggests Farke does not always “know what a young player needs” – as he claims he does.
Of course, not every talent will develop at the same rate.
However, Farke was too hasty when it came to publicly dressing Cresswell down, when the 23-year-old only wanted some more opportunities, which is entirely normal.
It cost Leeds a tremendous talent and the 49ers only got peanuts in return.
Cresswell – who West Ham are now in talks to sign – is a perfect example of what could happen with Gray as well if Farke fails to give him a shot in the Premier League.
Daniel Farke can only win by giving Harry Gray a chance at Leeds United
Farke is yet to see many goals from his strikers this season, with Lukas Nmecha currently on two while Dominic Calvert-Lewin can only boast one.
Meanwhile, Gray sits on seven goals in nine games this term in the youth ranks.
We can see why Farke is hesitant to throw a 17-year-old into Premier League action, but he simply has nothing to lose by giving the teenager a go.
If Gray plays well, the German will be praised for putting confidence in a young talent.
On the other hand, if the Leeds wonderkid initially struggles, Farke can say he listened to fans and gave it a try, before going back to the drawing board with Gray in training at Thorp Arch.
Receive a digest of our best Leeds content each week direct to your mailbox
