In today’s era of data-driven recruitment, traditional scouting methods have taken a backseat. For one former Leeds United prospect, however, this shift worked in his favor.
At the start of last summer, if Leeds United fans had been asked which of their players would start the 2024/25 season in Europe’s top five leagues, names like Archie Gray, Crysencio Summerville, and Georginio Rutter would have topped the list. And rightly so.
Gray moved to Tottenham for £35 million, Summerville joined West Ham for £25 million, and Rutter continued impressing at Brighton, even earning Pep Guardiola’s admiration with his performances in the Premier League.
However, the most unexpected transfer was Charlie Cresswell’s move from the Leeds bench to France’s Ligue 1. The young centre-back, who has a knack for scoring goals—three in his last eight games—has been a revelation at Toulouse.
Why Toulouse Moved for Cresswell
Speaking to the English media, Toulouse’s director of football, Damien Comolli, shared insights into how the club identified and secured Cresswell, a player who had been on the fringes of Daniel Farke’s squad at Leeds.
Comolli, who previously held roles at Arsenal, Tottenham, and Liverpool, has long been an advocate for modern recruitment strategies. His track record includes spotting and signing future stars like Gareth Bale, Luka Modric, Luis Suarez, and Robin van Persie. He even claims to have recommended a young Thierry Henry to Arsenal.
Cresswell, then a 21-year-old defender eager to prove himself, stood out in Toulouse’s data-driven scouting process.
“We were looking at a couple of centre-backs,” Comolli explained. “So, we went into our database and asked, ‘Who is under 25? Who meets our data criteria? Who can help take us into European competition in the next two or three seasons?’
“And Charlie’s name was at the top of the list.”
A ‘No-Brainer’ Signing for Toulouse
Currently sitting tenth in Ligue 1, Toulouse remains hopeful of securing European football, although Comolli is taking a long-term approach. Given how clubs like Lens and Brest have reached the Champions League through smart recruitment, he sees no reason why Toulouse can’t do the same.
Cresswell has already started 22 Ligue 1 games this season, holding his own against top talents like Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and PSG’s stars. This marks a stark contrast to his final season at Leeds, where he made just one appearance under Farke.
“Traditional scouts might have dismissed him because he hadn’t played much,” Comolli noted. “But we ignored that. If the data tells us he’s a top player, we go for it.
“Then, we ensure he’s the right fit for our culture, and that he understands what Toulouse is about. For us, it was a no-brainer.”
And at a reported fee of just under £4 million, Toulouse may have pulled off one of the bargains of the season.
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