‘I even hate losing a game of Monopoly!’ – Leeds’ Charlie Cresswell on why loan move to Millwall ticked all the boxes

Charlie Cresswell plays to win. And that won’t just be when he pulls on a Millwall shirt this season. That can just as easily apply to being unhappy if he doesn’t manage to buy Mayfair or Park Lane in a family game of Monopoly.

The Leeds United centre-back is facing an extended spell in the capital after sealing a season-long loan with the Lions at the start of this week.

What are Millwall getting? A 19-year-old who has already played Premier League minutes and represented England U21s. YouTube footage shows Cresswell is confident and adept in possession as well as being able to make eye-catching surges up the pitch.

Cresswell had a taste of the big time last season and he wants a whole lot more. But to do that, he believes a temporary step down to the Championship will have a major pay-off further down the line.

“I’ve just done my best at Leeds, that’s all I can do,” Cresswell told the South London Press.

“I’ve just tried to take the little opportunities I have had with both hands. Now it has come to the point where I need to play games on a regular basis – that’s what I really pushed for. I’m delighted to be here.

“You don’t see many 19-year-old centre-backs playing week in and week out in the Prem because it’s not really what Premier League managers do.

“If I can get a run of games and really take my chance then I think it will benefit me loads in the long run. That’s what myself and Leeds discussed. We liked what Millwall offered – so we pursued it.”

A stellar season in the Championship can be life-changing.  Brighton’s Ben White played 46 matches in England’s second tier while on loan at Leeds United when they won the title in 2019-20. Thirty-six Premier League appearances later for the Seagulls and he was a £50million signing for Arsenal.

“He [White] was great for Leeds,” said Preston-born Cresswell, who signed for the Yorkshire club at the age of 11.

“Centre-backs, especially when they are young, just need games. They need experience, because that’s what all managers want.

“You need to earn that trust. I can see why it’s a bit of a steep call for the manager to chuck a 19-year-old into the Premier League. But I believe I can do it. I believe in myself, I’ve just got to show it now.”

Millwall had Daniel Ballard on loan from Arsenal in the last campaign and only injury restricted to him adding to 31 league matches.

The Northern Ireland international, 22, made a permanent move to Sunderland at the end of June.

Cresswell was left impressed by the presentation made by Millwall manager Gary Rowett and Alex Aldridge, director of football operations and recruitment. The trio caught up over Zoom and the discussion involved showing how he would fit in tactically as well as what was expected of him.

“When Millwall first came in I didn’t think of anyone [who was there] last season,” said Cresswell. “I just thought it would be a great challenge for me. That’s what you’ve got to do when you go to a new club, you can’t be thinking about what your competition is.

“Once Millwall were interested and I looked more into the club, I  saw that he [Ballard] did a really good job. Obviously he had been linked with a lot of clubs and ended up going to Sunderland.

“It’s natural you look at the progression. But the best thing for me to do is focus on myself.

“I’m going to get a place in London, or just outside, I’m looking right now for somewhere. I’ll be on my own but I’m sure my brothers will be coming down to see me.

“I’m sure my mum will miss me, because I’m going to miss her. It will be good for me to step outside of my comfort zone and really try and take this opportunity with both hands.”

Cresswell’s dad Richard played as a striker for Leeds, Preston North End, Stoke City, Sheffield United and York City – as well as earning four England U21 caps. He had a 14-month spell as head of academy coaching at Leeds.

“My mum and dad didn’t push me towards doing any sport – they just chucked me into every sport,” explained the new Lions recruit.

“It’s the best for any kid, if they get to go and do that.

“I got chucked into golf on Thursday nights, I did swimming and I did cricket in the summer. I did tennis. I loved badminton, volleyball and basketball at school.

“What my mum and dad did well was never force me to do anything. They just let me do it and I sort of just fell into football.

“It’s helped with my dad being a former pro.”

The natural follow-up question is whether having a father steeped in the game was a help or a hindrance, particularly when he ended up being in a role of seniority at the same club? Cresswell’s response is polite and without any edge, but suggests it is a question he has fielded more than once.

“My dad is proud of me and he’s proud of his career. Now it’s about me and where I can go in this day and age.”
Cresswell has a burning desire to finish first.

“There are six of us in our family and it is the most competitive household – everyone wants to win,” he said. “There’s three brothers and one sister – it’s carnage. Even my mum and dad are competitive, I think we get it from them. Even if it’s just a game of Monopoly, anything, we’re arguing!”

Cresswell made his Premier League bow in a 2-1 defeat to West Ham United at Elland Road. Luke Ayling’s withdrawal with a knee injury saw the teenager promoted into Marcelo Bielsa’s starting plans.

Cresswell was tasked with marking Michail Antonio, who scored the 90th-minute clincher.

Afterwards he described  established players in England’s elite league as ‘robots’.

“It was an eye-opener,” said Cresswell. “ When you play at that level it is so rare that players make mistakes. You have got to be 100 per cent switched on, otherwise they will capitalise. That’s what happened in a couple of moments in that game, I got caught out and I had to learn as the game was going.

“I didn’t really have that much advance notice because I wasn’t playing before that day. We walked to the ground and Luke said he couldn’t play, because of his knee.

“I probably had about an hour and 15 minutes until kick off. I guess that’s good because I didn’t have lots of time to think about the game. I wasn’t as nervous. Not many people knew what I was all about, so they had no expectation.”

Cresswell has never played at The Den, only facing Millwall in an academy fixture at Thorp Arch.

“I’ve heard Millwall have a lot about them [as a crowd], so I’m looking forward to that,” he said.

“I have looked at the fixtures but there is no standout ones for me. I’m just excited to fight to get in the team and play week in and week out – to have that consistency of games, which I haven’t had. That’s what I’ve been missing.

“You naturally look at the end of the season and think: ‘Let’s try and get in the play-offs or do this or that’. But I think focusing on Stoke [on the opening day] and doing it game by game is the best approach.

“With the squad we have got I’m sure we can really try and push the boundaries and levels that Millwall have hit in recent years.”