2 reasons why Leeds United loaning Sunderland 20-year-old this January makes perfect sense

Leeds United centre-back Charlie Cresswell has been targeted by Sunderland and others in the Championship as his Millwall loan looks set to end.

Leeds sent a number of players on loan early in the season so they could get a better taste of senior football, including Charlie Creswell when he was sent to Millwall.

However, Creswell’s stint at the New Den under Gary Rowett was not successful as his on-field form meant he was unable to nail a place in the lineup, forcing him to longer stints off the team.

Now, Everywhere Leeds have exclusively revealed Sunderland are one of the sides keen to play him alone after The Athletic’s Phil Hay reported he is likely to be recalled.

Here we look at two reasons why Sunderland’s signing of the centre-back this month makes perfect sense…

Mowbray develops talent

Tony Mowbray has a track record of improving young players in the Championship, which he’s already demonstrating at the Stadium of Light.

Amad Diallo is a testament to the manager’s skill at dealing with talented young players, a winger who flopped at Rangers and looked disinterested is now one of the best players outside of the Premier League.

If Creswell were to join Wearside he would be under the stewardship of a manager who can bring out the best in young players while nurturing their talent in the right player.

Do Leeds still need a left-back in January?

Yes

no

Sunderland need a centre-back

After all, Sunderland wanted the centre-back in the summer and they likely haven’t resolved the issue in the meantime.

Luke O’Nien has transformed into the back three very well in recent seasons but perhaps the club would like a more natural centre-back there to unleash O’Nien’s versatility.

Millwall’s pecking order was such that Creswell would never come in as they switched to two centre-backs where Rowett opted for captain and runner-up for obvious reasons.

Sunderland’s back three means a re-signing wouldn’t hurt and Creswell would get plenty of playing time, especially with games piling up and the play-offs coming into their sights.