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: โIn France, the supporters are incredible. We donโt have that in England, the โmadโ fans.
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Le toulousain Charlie Cresswell (ex-Leeds, Milwall) l’affirme : ๐๐ ๐ฌ ๐ ๐จ๐ก๐ ๐๐๐๐ก ๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐จ๐ฅ๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ก๐๐ ๐๐ก ๐๐ฅ๐๐ก๐๐ ๐ซ๐ท ๐ค๐จ’๐๐ก ๐๐ก๐๐๐๐ง๐๐ฅ๐ฅ๐ ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ ๐๐๐ก๐ฆ ๐๐๐ฆ ๐ฆ๐ง๐๐๐๐ฆ ! ๐ ๐ฅ
โ๐๐ป ๐๐ฟ๐ฎ๐ป๐ฐ๐ฒ, ๐น๐ฒ๐ ๐๐๐ฝ๐ฝ๐ผ๐ฟ๐๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ ๐๐ผ๐ป๐โฆ pic.twitter.com/FtBwlZCiDw
โ Footballogue (@Footballogue) October 22, 2025
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โThey 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; itโs really crazy!
โSometimes, they donโt even watch the match; they just sing and jump like theyโve lost their minds. In England, I have never really seen supporters with megaphones in the stadium, trying to lift the whole crowd.โ
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 ยฃ4 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 ยฃ18 million for the England youth international, Leeds could be set for a further windfall due to his impressive form in France.