Leeds United director of football Victor Orta could be about to repeat one of Massimo Cellino’s disastrous transfer mistakes at Elland Road…
What’s the word?
According to The Sun journalist Alan Nixon, Championship outfit Middlesbrough are lining up a move for young Whites gem Charlie Cresswell, who is currently impressing on-loan to Millwall in the same division.
Boro would be able to sign him permanently before deadline day on January 31st if Leeds agree to an exit, and it’s thought that as little as £4m would be enough to make it happen.
Meanwhile, fellow second-tier outfit Sunderland are also keen to sign him but only on loan.
Should Leeds sell Charlie Cresswell?
YES!
NO!
Shades of Cook exit
With current first-team boss Jesse Marsch a big fan of the Preston-born 20-year-old and his defensive issues obvious, it would surely be a major mistake to let the centre-back depart on a permanent basis.
“Personality [he] is not afraid of anything. Even the first session we had he was the loudest player on the pitch,” the American once said. “[He] does not shy away. He needs to play.”
Before Orta was appointed, the Yorkshire giants were run quite poorly under former owner Massimo Cellino and one of his worst errors was sanctioning the departure of Lewis Cook to AFC Bournemouth.
At the time, ex-manager Steve Evans was adamant the then-teenager, who was evidently played a key role, was not for sale but the livewire Italian went against his word, selling him for a measly £6m.
Now 25 with bags of Premier League experience under his belt, Cook was once valued at a whopping €20m (£18m) by Transfermarkt, making a mockery of the decision to sell him so prematurely.
This same scenario could happen with Cresswell, who has enjoyed a taste of first-team action (seven appearances), in which he has never let the club down.
One game against West Ham United saw plenty of praise bestowed on the Thorp Arch graduate. Podcaster and presenter Joe Wainman heaped praise on him, by claiming:
“That boy, for me, was unbelievable and I don’t think he should come out of the side. He’s a mainstay now, for me. I thought Cresswell was class, genuinely class.”
The self-proclaimed “leader” is also a bit of a pass-master, which would make him an ideal fit for both Marsch and the English top-flight, given the way in which the modern game often sees teams playing out from the back.
Therefore, it seems awfully foolish mistake to make, particularly as the club have been stung in letting prospects leave too early many times in the past. As such, Orta must avoid making the same blunder as Cellino heading into the final week of the January transfer window.
AND in other news, Orta could repeat Gnonto masterclass with Leeds move for “unbelievable” 19 y/o maestro…
