In collaboration with Goal, Voetbalzone regularly highlights young players who can go far in the future or who are already earning their spurs in (inter)national top football. This time around, the focus is on 19-year-old centre-back Charlie Cresswell, who has already been called up to the Young England squad, despite having only made four appearances in the first Leeds United game.
“Outsiders can encourage you to be ambitious, but it’s all up to you and whether you have it in you.” That’s what the talented mandekker Charlie Cresswell said at the end of September when he and his teammate Joe Gelhardt addressed a group of school children from Leeds. The two top young talents gained more fame after important weeks for both of them. Gelhardt had just made his first-team debut for Leeds United when he came on in the second half against Fulham in the EFL Cup (which was won on penalties).
Like Gelhardt, Cresswell also seems to have the aforementioned ambition. Not only did he play for 90 minutes against Fulham – after making his debut in the Leeds main squad in last season’s EFL Cup tie against Hull City – but he also made his Premier League debut a few days later. Marcelo Bielsa gave the teenager a starting spot and although the Whites Left empty-handed by a late winning goal by Mikhail Antonio, Cresswell received a lot of praise for his performance. In particular, the way he took on his direct opponent Antonio – a player who has a reputation for being one of the most difficult attackers in the Premier League – was impressive.
Charlie is the son of Richard Cresswell, who played as a striker for Leeds between 2005 and 2007 and scored a total of 121 goals in the English professional divisions for eight different clubs. His father was head of youth academy at Leeds between 2018 and 2020. There was no nepotism, however, as Cresswell junior had played for the West Yorkshire club since 2013. Cresswell’s performance on the pitch earned him Under-18 trophies, while he was made captain of the Under 23 when a new coach took over for the group in September 2020.
Despite having only 270 minutes of professional football under his belt, the young defender has also been part of the Young England squad three times. When you hear Cresswell talking to a group of schoolchildren, it is obvious why he has been captain of Leeds Under 23 since he was eighteen. He is immensely mature for his age and speaks with a certain authority. His clear leadership skills are reflected in the fact that his attitude sets an example for his teammates and also gives them the necessary directions. He also does not shy away from that during his two basic appearances against Fulham and West Ham United in the first team.
?? “Good ball… CRESSWELL!!!”
?? https://t.co/uILnnfa4dl pic.twitter.com/M23p352fTj— Leeds United (@LUFC) July 30, 2021
Cresswell has an aura of confidence and calmness about him, which he showed very early in his Premier League debut. He received the ball inside his own penalty area, looked up to see Angelo Ogbonna running towards him. Instead of panicking and playing a long ball forward without a clue, the teen pretended to pass a right pass. Cresswell sent the West Ham player into the woods with this move and was then able to calmly give a pass to midfield with the ball at his foot. Leeds fans cheered him on and fears of the debutant’s ability to hold their own at the highest level quickly dissipated.
“Thinking about it, I probably felt more nervous before the West Ham game simply because it was the Premier League on a packed Elland Road,” Cresswell later admitted. The Athletic. “I can’t pretend I wasn’t, but there was more excitement than nervousness. Nerves are good, though. They alert you. They make you sharper. Everyone has to deal with nerves.”
Marcelo Bielsa was thin in the central defenders due to an injury wave. The Argentine coach explained that it actually seemed better to him to move Kalvin Phillips from midfield to defense rather than let Cresswell make his debut. However, after his performance at Craven Cottage, Bielsa was convinced that the top talent can make the final step at Leeds. “It’s difficult to judge someone based on one game, but I have to say that he grabbed his chance with both hands,” said Bielsa full of praise. “After the game against Fulham, he took an important step forward. I have to draw that conclusion.”
Throughout the game against West Ham, the young defender has not betrayed his manager’s confidence. He shadowed Antonio all the way to half of the Hammers if needed. At times Antonio got the upper hand – which was to be expected – but Cresswell didn’t give him an inch and often came out victorious. “He’s so big, strong and fast,” Cresswell said of his direct opponent. “It’s weird in the Premier League because the players are all like robots. They know exactly what to do, and they do the right things every time. I couldn’t afford one mistake. I knew immediately that if I made a mistake, Antonio would score.”
Afterwards, Bielsa praised the debutant for his personality and character, saying Cresswell made “very few mistakes.” The teenager may have to wait a little longer for his next Premier League appearance, as Diego Llorente and Pascal Struijk are back from injury and suspension respectively. At least Bielsa knows Creswell is more than ready when he needs to call on him again.