Millwall should consider fresh Leeds United approach after Daniel Farke snub: View | OneFootball

Highlights

Millwall endured a roller coaster of a 2023/24 Championship campaign, but eventually landed a comfortable mid-table spot, finishing 13th.

In hindsight, the Lions were always going to find it tough to adjust to life following the exit of Gary Rowett via mutual consent back in October, while the following appointment of young manager Joe Edwards did not go to plan.

Edwards was only able to guide the side to four wins in 19 matches, and was sacked in February with the Den outfit sitting 21st in the Championship table, just one point above the relegation zone.

But the subsequent re-appointment of former Lions boss Neil Harris did the trick for the London side, as the 46-year-old steered his men to safety.

During the previous 2022/23 campaign, Millwall had a much smoother run of things in what turned out to be Rowett's last full season in charge of the club, as they finished in eighth position, just one point behind the second tier play-off spots.

Leeds United defender Charlie Cresswell played a key role in the Lions' relative success of the season prior, during a year-long loan spell in which he made 28 Championship appearances.

Millwall should commit to a second transfer swoop for Leeds United's Charlie Cresswell

Since Cresswell's return to Elland Road, Whites boss Daniel Farke has not afforded the 21-year-old the sort of game-time that he would have liked, as he made just five league appearances for the West Yorkshire outfit - starting on just one occasion.

Throughout the 2023/24 season, Cresswell played just 135 minutes, and his solitary start for Farke's men came all the way back in August, during a 1-0 defeat to Birmingham City.

The only full 90-minute appearance the Whites academy graduate has made since then came during an EFL Cup defeat on penalties to League Two Salford City, which also came ;ast August.

Despite Cresswell's successful time at the Den last campaign, the starlet was not a part of Farke's plans during the recent Championship campaign, and played for a total of just seven minutes following the Salford defeat, making a one-minute cameo during a league fixture with QPR in October, as well as a six-minute stint against Yorkshire rivals Rotherham back in February.

In January, the Leeds boss told The Athletic that he did not believe Cresswell was "mentally ready to play", which goes some way to explaining the young defender's lack of first team appearances with the Whites of late.

Cresswelll enjoyed a much more successful time with the Lions though during 2022/23, and even made six goal contributions in the second tier, scoring four goals and assisting two, in addition to his positive defensive contributions - although he wasn't immune to being dropped having spent five straight matches on the bench halfway through that campaign.

The London outfit were a significantly stronger team when Cresswell was involved however, and while he does not appear to be a wanted man at Elland Road, the Lions should make their swoop this summer for either another loan move - or even perhaps a permanent deal if funds permit.

A move back to the Den would be good for Cresswell's development

Not only would the Lions benefit from the return of Cresswell, but the defender himself could reap the rewards of such a move, as at the age of 21, he is at a key stage of his development as a player.

The lack of game-time he experienced at Elland Road will have been damaging for the youngster, while the 2022/23 season demonstrated that he would be capable of nailing down a starting 11 spot at the Den.

Furthermore, with a player of Cresswell's ability on their side, the Lions would arguably be able to make yet another play-off push, as seen during the defender's last spell with the club.