Millwall boss Gary Rowett has been quoted by Teesside Live as saying he expects to have Leeds United defender Charlie Cresswell at The Den until the end of the season – amid reports Middlesbrough are eyeing a £4million deal.
Cresswell, 22, has failed to start a League game since December 3 – remaining an unused sub in five of Millwall’s last six games. The other, a very late substitute in a 1-0 away win over Cardiff last time out. He is attracting interest.
The Leeds academy product has impressed at Millwall, playing 18 times for Jamie Shackleton’s side. He has helped Rowett’s men earn five clean sheets in that time, scoring an impressive four goals. His future is in doubt at The Den.
The Sun report that Michael Carrick is showing interest in Cresswell and could make an offer worth an initial £4m. Rowett said that while Cresswell has been ‘frustrated’ at times, he expects to keep the Leeds man until the summer.
“He’s a young player with fabulous potential. He’s shown that in the first half of the season, he’s played in probably half of our games. If you’re a young player, you want to play every game, you want to play all the time,” Rowett said.
“The reality is that sometimes it doesn’t happen, no fault of your own. He’s been incredibly professional. He’s been frustrated. He’s with us until the end of the season. Until someone tells me otherwise, that’s where we’re at.”
Rowett expects to have Leeds defender Cresswell until end of the season
Cresswell has shown Rowett that he is a player he can rely on. Now, the England Under-21 international just needs a bit of luck and perhaps and injury or two to go his way. If that happens, he can still go on and play 35 or more times.
Is it worth cancelling his loan at Millwall and moving to Boro on a permanent basis? Well, the signing of Max Wober does reduce his chances of breaking in at Leeds – but he is a serious talent. Perhaps, a buyback clause is needed.
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