In an era of data driven recruitment, traditional methods of scouting have been placed on the backburner to an extent. And that is a pretty happy development, as far as one former Leeds United starlet is concerned.
If the Elland Road faithful had been asked to predict at the start of last summer which of their players would begin the 2024/25 campaign in one of Europe’s top-five leagues, most would have said Archie Gray, Crysencio Summerville and Georginio Rutter.
And they’d have been right.
Gray joined Tottenham for £35 million. Summerville was snapped up by West Ham for £25 million. And, his impressive debut season at Brighton continuing, Georginio Rutter earned Pep Guardiola’s admiration with his silky yet sturdy Premier League displays.
A more unexpected switch, however, was the one which took Charlie Cresswell from the Leeds United bench to France’s first division. A centre-back with an eye for goal – he scored three in eight recently – Cresswell has been a revelation at Toulouse.
And, speaking to the English media this week, director of football Damien Comolli shed some light on how Toulouse managed to unearth a rough diamond stuck on the fringes of Daniel Farke’s first-team in West Yorkshire.
Toulouse director Damien Comolli explains why Charlie Cresswell left Leeds United
Comolli, formerly of Arsenal, Tottenham and Liverpool, has always been an outspoken supporter of a more modern approach to recruitment. The Frenchman also has a proud track record when it comes to signing rising talents who would go onto become bonafide footballing superstars.
See Gareth Bale, Luka Modric, Luis Suarez and Robin van Persie. He also claims to have recommended a baby-faced Thierry Henry to Arsenal, via BBC Sport.
So Cresswell, a hungry, then-21-year-old central defender who came out on top as Toulouse crunched the numbers, ticked just about every one of Comolli’s boxes.
“We were looking at a couple of centre-backs,” the experienced director explains. “So, we go into the database and say; ‘OK who is under 25? Who reaches the critera data-wise? Who can take the team into Europe in the next two or three seasons?’
“And then Charlie’s name comes on top.”
Cresswell was a ‘no-brainer’ for Europe-chasing Toulouse outfit
Currently tenth but only ten points adrift of an inconsistent Lille outfit, Cresswell is not giving up on European qualification this season. Comolli, however, is a little more patient.
And, after the likes of Lens and Brest secured a Champions League spot on the basis of some inspired recruitment, why can a Comolli-led Toulouse outfit not do the same.
Cresswell has started 22 Ligue 1 matches this season. The England Under-21 ace held his own against Khvicha Kvaratshelia and PSG, too. During his final season at Leeds, in contrast, the Thorp Arch graduate appeared on Farke’s team sheet just once.
“Traditional club or traditional scouts would have said he hasn’t played for a year,” Comolli adds. “But we disregard that totally. If the data tells us he’s a top player, then we are going to go for it.
“Then, the process is we need to convince him, make sure he is a culture fit. Make sure our culture fits to his culture, that he understands what Toulouse is about.
“For us, It was a no-brainer.”
A bargain too, with reports claiming Toulouse paid Leeds just shy of £4 million for Charlie Cresswell.
Receive a digest of our best Leeds content each week direct to your mailbox
