‘Leaving England is scary but I’m here to win’: Charlie Cresswell on Ligue 1 life and his international dream

Charlie Cresswell says leaving Leeds for France was a difficult but necessary choice after he struggled to find a regular place in the first team. Now at Rennes, the 24-year-old is preparing to face Juventus in what he calls the biggest game of his career, with strong European performances potentially helping him pursue his ambition of playing for England.

Cresswell made 14 senior appearances for Leeds and started 57 of 68 possible Ligue 1 matches across two seasons at Toulouse before moving to Rennes last summer. He chose to remain in France despite options in England, attracted by Rennes’ higher expectations and chance to play in Europe. Rennes are unbeaten in this season’s Europa League, with one win and one draw, and Cresswell says the club should not set limits on how far it can go.