Former Leeds United defender Charlie Cresswell has admitted the fans in England are not the best he has played in front of, after moving to Toulouse in 2024.
Charlie Cresswell came through the Leeds academy to make his senior debut for the club under Marcelo Bielsa in the EFL Cup in 2020.
However, Cresswell found his playing time limited under Daniel Farke and was allowed to leave the club on a permanent deal in the summer of 2024.
Cresswell has been in impressive form for Toulouse this season, earning rave reviews from the French media after his goal-scoring role in the recent win over FC Metz.
Now, the former Leeds man has admitted that the atmosphere at Elland Road is not the best he has played in front of, praising the passion of the French supporters.
Photo by Michael Steele/Getty ImagesFormer Leeds United defender praises French supporters
Speaking to French publication Footballogue via their X (formerly Twitter) account, Cresswell explained the difference between English and French fans.
According to Cresswell, although the fans in England are passionate, the coordination of the French Ultras in the stadium sets the Ligue 1 atmosphere apart.
Cresswell said: “In France, the supporters are incredible. We don’t have that in England, the ‘mad’ fans.
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Le toulousain Charlie Cresswell (ex-Leeds, Milwall) l’affirme : 𝗜𝗟 𝗬 𝗔 𝗨𝗡𝗘 𝗕𝗜𝗘𝗡 𝗠𝗘𝗜𝗟𝗟𝗘𝗨𝗥𝗘 𝗔𝗠𝗕𝗜𝗔𝗡𝗖𝗘 𝗘𝗡 𝗙𝗥𝗔𝗡𝗖𝗘 🇫🇷 𝗤𝗨’𝗘𝗡 𝗔𝗡𝗚𝗟𝗘𝗧𝗘𝗥𝗥𝗘 🏴 𝗗𝗔𝗡𝗦 𝗟𝗘𝗦 𝗦𝗧𝗔𝗗𝗘𝗦 ! 😄 🔥
“𝗘𝗻 𝗙𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲, 𝗹𝗲𝘀 𝘀𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝘀𝗼𝗻𝘁… pic.twitter.com/FtBwlZCiDw
— Footballogue (@Footballogue) October 22, 2025
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“They jump around all through the game. There are ultras down at the front of the Tribune stand, using a megaphone to direct the other fans; it’s really crazy!
“Sometimes, they don’t even watch the match; they just sing and jump like they’ve lost their minds. In England, I have never really seen supporters with megaphones in the stadium, trying to lift the whole crowd.”
Photo by MATTHIEU RONDEL/AFP via Getty ImagesCharlie Cresswell could soon return to the Premier League
Although Cresswell has enjoyed his time in France, his impressive form in Ligue 1 means he could soon be back playing in front of English fans again.
Leeds United News revealed that Everton are leading the chase to sign Cresswell, along with several other Premier League sides.
Although Leeds only received £4 million from Toulouse when they sold Cresswell, they included a 15% sell-on clause in the deal.
With Toulouse expected to demand a fee in the region of £18 million for the England youth international, Leeds could be set for a further windfall due to his impressive form in France.