Charlie Cresswell will be returning to Leeds United as a European champion following his success with England Under-21s on Saturday night. The Three Lions kept their nerve to see out a 1-0 win over Spain in the final of the UEFA European U21 Championships in Georgia to get their hands on the trophy for the first time in 39 years.
Cole Palmer scored the only goal of the game as he saw his free-kick deflected home and his Man City teammate James Trafford, who spent last season on loan with Bolton Wanderers, secured the win by saving a Spanish penalty in added time. Lee Carsley’s side were deserved victors, winning all six games they played in the tournament without conceding a single goal.
Unfortunately, Cresswell only made one appearance over the course of the competition, starting in a 2-0 win over Germany during the group stages. But, the momentous experience of winning a trophy alongside some of the country’s best and brightest young players will certainly stand him in good stead as he approaches his biggest season yet in his career.
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England’s winning mindset and mentality got them over the line in Batumi and Cresswell, despite watching on from the bench, was a part of that. As such, he’ll be looking to bring that approach back to Thorp Arch with him and use it to his advantage as he attempts to tie down a regular spot in the Whites’ backline under Daniel Farke.
The 20-year-old found his path to first team football crowded at Elland Road last season and was consequently sent out on loan to Millwall. He used the opportunity to mature and flourish as a young player, though, making 28 Championship appearances for the Lions and succeeding in making a name for himself with his performances in south London.
That journey, coupled with the one he is returning from in Georgia, will see Cresswell return to West Yorkshire with heaps of confidence and self-belief as he looks to take the next step in his development. Unfortunately, the centre-back won’t have too long to make an impression on Farke in training, given Leeds’ opening Championship fixture takes place in just four weeks’ time.
But, the German head coach, who is coming to the end of his first week in charge at Leeds, will have done his homework and he’ll be keen to give the youngster the chance to impress in the build-up to the clash with Cardiff City. Cresswell knows, then, that hitting the ground running could result in opportunities falling his way and the experience of being part of England U21s’ Euros win will surely help him take them.
