Leeds United handed boost as ‘genuinely class’ star confirms his commitment to the club
After they were relegated from the Premier League last season, Leeds United prepared themselves to lose several key players on the transfer market this summer. Indeed, they’ve already seen the likes of Tyler Roberts and Rodrigo move onto pastures new, and Robin Koch has gone out on loan to Eintracht Frankurt before his contract expires next year.
Dropping to the Championship was always going to present challenges for the Whites when it came to buying and retaining players. However, they have been handed a boost as rising star Charlie Cresswell has confirmed he is committed to the future of the club and wants to ‘achieve the dream’ he’s had with Leeds since he was young.
Speaking on the Official Leeds United Podcast, the 20-year-old discussed how he had some offers come in for him this window but his desire it to remain at Leeds and become a regular part of Daniel Farke’s first team.
“I had a couple of options and it was a bit uncertain, but for me there was never that option to leave,” he said. “I wanted to achieve the dream of what I’ve wanted since I was a little boy, that’s to play for Leeds United with the number five on the back of my shirt.”
Cresswell spent last season on loan with Millwall to boost his first team minutes. The defender started 25 matches in the Championship, so he’ll be familiar heading into the season with Leeds, and he also contributed an impresive five goals and one assist as a centre-back.
Cresswell could be in for a bright future at Elland Road, having already impressed with his potential. Back in 2021, Leeds United presenter Joe Wainman heaped praise on the youngster, describing him as a “genuinely class” player and a “mainstay” for the team moving forward.
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Football Insider claims Leeds United will turn their attention to signing Coventry City star Gus Hamer. The Whites have been repeatedly linked with the Brazilian midfielder are said to be stepping up their interest.
Hamer was among the standout performers for Mark Robins’ side that reached the Championship play-off final but were narrowly beaten by Luton Town. The 26-year-old has been linked with a number of Premier League clubs this summer but remains a Coventry city player as things stand.
Hamer is entering the final year of his contract and Leeds are reportedly set to step up their efforts to sign the midfielder.
Leeds United dealt hammer blow with Patrick Bamford, Georginio Rutter and Mateo Joseph injured
Daniel Farke will be without Patrick Bamford, Georginio Rutter and Mateo Joseph for Leeds United’s opener against Cardiff City after the trio picked up injuries in the last week. Bamford will not play a part until after the first international break after picking up a hamstring injury against Hearts in the final pre-season fixture.
Rutter also picked up a core injury against the Scottish Premiership side but and will definitely miss the first two games of the season. Farke is hopeful he’ll return after the Whites’ Carabao Cup clash with Shrewsbury Town, while Mateo Joseph will also miss the next three to four weeks after damaging the ligaments in his ankle in training.
It leaves Joe Gelhardt and Sonny Perkins in contention to lead the line, unless Dan James is used in a central role, against Cardiff on Sunday with Farke left with a decision to make.
Speaking ahead of this weekend’s clash with Cardiff, the Whites boss told reporters: “Sadly we’ve had some injuries during the last seven days. Patrick Bamford has a hamstring injury and won’t return before the first international break so he’ll miss the next games.
Leeds United manager Daniel Farke has confirmed Illan Meslier will start the new season as his number one goalkeeper, with the biggest show of faith yet in the Frenchman. Leeds have made two signings so far this summer, with bringing in experienced shot-stopper Karl Darlow from Newcastle United one of Farke’s early priorities.
The arrival of Darlow only served to increase the speculation surrounding Meslier, who has been linked with an exit from Leeds since being dropped by ex-manager Sam Allardyce for the closing games of last season. The France international has been linked with a number of clubs already this summer, but so far no offers have been tabled.
While the uncertainty remains, Farke is certain who is starting goalkeeper is, having confirmed Meslier will be between the posts when the Whites play host top Cardiff City on Sunday in their Championship opener.
“I’m quite pleased at the moment, but it’s also clear that Illan will start if he stays fit for the first game,” explained Farke when quizzed on his goalkeeping situation. Darlow is understood to have impressed since his late arrival, but it is the fact that he has not done much work with the squad so far which is ensuring Meslier keeps the position he has held throughout pre-season.
Well, obviously I’m looking forward to this game. The first game of season is always exciting and the first game at Elland Road, even more special. I was a few times at Elland Road and I know that atmosphere is always great and outstanding, especially first game after the summer break. Yes, we’re all looking forward to have this first competitive game. We’ve had a proper preseason so far, but right now the real stuff begins and we’re all looking forward to it.
Yes, so sadly we have had during the last seven days some injuries, Patrick Bamford has got a hamstring injury he won’t return before the first international break so you will miss definitely the next games. Georginio Rutter looks slightly better, he’s got a core injury but he will definitely also miss out the game on Sunday and also the next cup game, we hope that he would then return as quick as possible. So we hope that he’s also able to play a few games before the International break and I think this will work out.
Sadly also bad news was Mateo Joseph because he rolled his ankle on Wednesday in training and we feared a lot because yesterday he was on crutches but it looks better right now than it was two days ago. So he will definitely miss the next three to four weeks but it was a ligament damage. No surgery is needed and but he will also definitely miss out the next games.
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