Who is Alfie Cresswell? Leeds United teenager on the bench against Brighton | OneFootball

Leeds United could hand debuts to up to three academy players against Brighton this afternoon, with 18-year-old Alfie Cresswell named among the substitutes.

According to yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk, injuries have hit Daniel Farke’s side, with Pascal Struijk, Jayden Bogle, Gabriel Gudmundsson, Noah Okafor and Ilia Gruev out, while Ethan Ampadu, after illness, keeps his midfield place.

Full-back Jayden Lienou and midfielder Rhys Chadwick are also on the bench again after featuring in Monday’s 1-1 draw at Tottenham. With Struijk missing, Sebastiaan Bornauw comes into the back three.

Born in July 2007, Cresswell is aiming to become the third member of his family to represent Leeds. He is the younger brother of Charlie Cresswell, who joined FC Toulouse in 2024, and son of Richard, who arrived from Preston in 2005.

Comfortable at centre-back, across the defence and in defensive midfield, he has captained Leeds Under-21s this season, scoring five goals in 26 games across all competitions.

He also skippered Scott Garnder’s side to National League Cup success last season and has trained with the first team at times this campaign. He signed a new deal in September, keeping him at Elland Road until 2028.

Cresswell said he was buzzing to extend by three years and hopes to progress, noting senior games and higher training standards have toughened him. He reckons holding midfielder is his main role, and wants more first-team sessions, more goals and to add to the team.

Source: yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk