Whelan backs Leeds sensation Cresswell to sign for EFL club after reported update
Noel Whelan insists Charlie Cresswell should be loaned out next season instead of playing with the Leeds United Under-23s.
The former Whites hitman, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, claims Cresswell can improve quickly if he joins an EFL side next season.
Leeds Live claim no decision has been made about Cresswell’s immediate future though he is drawing “admiring glances” from some clubs.
Cresswell, 18, has been nominated for the Premier League 2’s Player of the Season award.
Leeds Under 23s strolled to the title as Cresswell barely missed a minute of action.
After such an impressive season, it may be time for the central defender to take the next step in his development.
Whelan wants to see Cresswell go out on loan next season as he claims playing in development squads can only take a player so far.
“We’ve got four big players there already,” Whelan told Football Insider assistant editor Russell Edge.
“We have [Pascal] Struijk, [Liam] Cooper, [Robin] Koch and [Diego] Llorente. Four big personalities. I think a year of playing football somewhere would benefit him.
“Rather than just playing with the 23s. Once you get to a certain level, 23s football isn’t enough.
“Then you need that step up. I think as a player, you have to learn your trade playing proper football at a decent level.
“I know the 23s got promoted this season and will play better sides next year. But when you go out there and start experiencing EFL football, you can’t get enough of that.
“That proper experience. The preparation for games, the information, the mistakes you make and you learn.
“It makes you grow up very quickly into a better player.”
In other news, Leeds United tipped to launch new bid after EFL swap offer knocked back.