---
title: "Leeds: Noel Whelan makes exciting Charlie Cresswell claim"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/leeds-noel-whelan-makes-exciting-charlie-cresswell-claim/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Henry Jackson"
section: "Leeds United News"
published: "2021-10-04T13:05:44Z"
modified: "2021-10-04T13:05:44Z"
---

# Leeds: Noel Whelan makes exciting Charlie Cresswell claim

**Leeds United youngster Charlie Cresswell has made a huge impression with former professionals, according to former Whites striker Noel Whelan.**

### The Lowdown: Cresswell’s breakthrough season

Marcelo Bielsa has had a [shortage of centre-backs](https://www.leeds-live.co.uk/sport/leeds-united/leeds-united-injury-suspension-watford-21611511) at times this season, with Diego Llorente, Robin Koch and Pascal Struijk all unavailable on occasions.

It has meant that Cresswell has been drafted into Leeds’ defence and the 18-year-old has made [two appearances](https://www.whoscored.com/Players/400646/Show/Charlie-Cresswell) overall, playing 90 minutes in the 2-1 defeat at home to West Ham.

\[freshpress-quiz id=“375277″\]

### The Latest: Whelan gives huge praise

Speaking to [Football Insider](https://www.footballinsider247.com/people-inside-leeds-are-staggered-by-cresswell-whelan/), Whelan was full of praise for Cresswell, claiming that some former professionals with whom the 46-year-old has worked have been left “staggered” by the teenager’s ability and potential. He said:

> “There’s no ignoring him after that performance and how good he was.
>
> “The applause from the fans, people inside the club, ex-professionals I work with, they were just staggered at how good he was on that day with everything he put on that field.
>
> “He was immense, he was like a veteran on the day, rather than a young boy stepping in. Everything about his game I loved. The physicality and the way he dominated at times.”

[Latest Leeds United news!](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/latest-leeds-united-news-18/)

### The Verdict: One for the future

For 18, Cresswell was such a confident presence in the West Ham game, making [three clearances](https://www.whoscored.com/Players/400646/MatchStatistics/Charlie-Cresswell) and winning [one tackle](https://www.whoscored.com/Players/400646/MatchStatistics/Charlie-Cresswell), and he looks like a defender with a big future ahead of him.

For the time being, it is important that he is allowed to grow as a player at his own pace, rather than being thrown in regularly when he is too young.

There is no doubt that Cresswell looks like a possible future regular for Leeds, though, and he has shown that he can do a job already if required. Whelan’s praise certainly seems to be well-placed.

***In other news, Phil Hay has provided a Leeds injury update. Read more [here](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/leeds-united-news/leeds-phil-hay-provides-robin-koch-injury-update/).***