Rising Leeds United star Alfie Cresswell has been praised for his performances for the Academy side, as he looks to force his way into the first-team picture under Daniel Farke.
The Leeds Academy has a proud track record of producing talent for the first-team squad, with Harry Gray the latest to make the leap.
However, Leeds have another exciting talent in the pipeline who is also the son of a former Leeds player, as Alfie Cresswell continues to impress in the under-21s.
Cresswell recently signed a new deal with Leeds and is the captain of the under-21s sideand was named as the Leeds Academy player of the year for the 2024/25 season.
Now, player agent Hayden Evans has told the club that Cresswell is only getting “stronger and stronger” as he looks to follow in the footsteps of his father, Richard Cresswell.
Alfie Cresswell completes a tackle during Port Vale v Leeds United U21 - Vertu Trophy
Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images
Alfie Cresswell continues to impress for Leeds United
Leeds boss Daniel Farke claimed that Cresswell will save the club on transfer fees in the future after he signed his new deal, and the young player has trained with the Leeds first-team this season.
Cresswell has impressed in the centre of midfield for the Whites, having initially played at either right-back or centre-back.
MORE LEEDS UNITED STORIES
Speaking to the Square Ball Podcast, Hayden Evans, who works closely with player agents Andy Gray and Richard Cresswell, praised Cresswell’s development since switching into midfield, in an exciting verdict on the talented youngster.
Evans said: “Alfie [Cresswell], obviously, he won, I think, under-21s player of the year. Since he moved into midfield, he’s just getting stronger and stronger.
Alfie Cresswell during Leeds United v Liverpool - FA Youth Cup Quarter Final
Photo by George Wood/Getty Images
Jonny Howson will be crucial to Cresswell’s development
Cresswell could not hope for a better mentor than returning Leeds hero Jonny Howson, who is a regular feature in the Leeds under-21s this season.
Howson returned to Leeds in the off-season and is acting as a player-coach in the Academy set-up to help nurture the next generation of talent at Thorp Arch.
The Leeds veteran played the majority of his career in an advanced midfield role, amassing a total of 648 appearances in his senior career.
Cresswell has made an impressive start to his career at the Leeds Academy. A player of Howson’s calibre will be vital in helping him take the next steps in his career.