Leeds United could yet benefit from a bit of unrest behind the scenes at one of their Premier League rivals, as the search for a new no.1 goes on.
Illan Meslier was a real talking point throughout the 2024/25 season at Leeds United, as the Frenchman kept his spot in goal for 39 games but was then replaced by Karl Darlow.
Daniel Farke decided to drop Meslier for the run-in and it was a decision that proved fruitful. Leeds went on to win the Championship title and Karl Darlow proved steady in goal, compared to the unnerving Meslier.
Now, it’s expected that Leeds United will sell Meslier this summer. The Frenchman had rumoured transfer interest throughout the season, but there’s so far been little talk about clubs making a move for the 25-year-old this summer.
Nonetheless, Farke looks set to sign a new no.1 and potentially another goalkeeper as back-up, and there are several goalkeepers linked with a move to Leeds United this summer, including Chelsea and Serbia man Djordje Petrovic.
Djordje Petrovic of Chelsea celebrates his team's fourth goal scored by teammate Nicolas Jackson during the Premier League match between Chelsea FC and West Ham United at Stamford Bridge.
Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images
Djordje Petrovic’s Chelsea situation goes from bad to worse
Leeds United are interested in a move for Petrovic, 25, who’s been with Chelsea since 2023 but spent last season on loan with Ligue 1 Strasbourg. After keeping 10 clean sheets in 32 Ligue 1 games, conceding only 38, Petrovic was voted as Strasbourg’s Player of the Season for 2024/25.
And now, Petrovic looks set to leave Chelsea in pursuit of regular game time, which he doesn’t look set to receive at Stamford Bridge. Petrovic was excluded from Chelsea’s Club World Cup squad, perhaps unsurprisingly for many, and further details on the matter have now surfaced.
Amid Galatasaray’s reported interest, Turkish journalist Yağız Sabuncuoğlu revealed how Petrovic told Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca he would only go to the Club World cup if he was the no.1 goalkeeper, which Maresca said no to, and Chelsea have since placed Petrovic ‘at the top of the sales list’ this summer.
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Djordje Petrovic has a big point to prove
Petrovic’s situation at Chelsea appears to have become quite toxic. It’s clear that he’s unsettled and that he wants to leave the club permanently, and prove himself as a no.1 elsewhere, so a move to a rival Premier League club could be right up his street.
He’d arrive at Leeds with a big point to prove and that could really bring the best out of Petrovic next season, whilst giving Farke an impressive no.1 in the process.
Djordje Petrovic is a real presence inside the box
One of Meslier’s main criticisms was that he just wasn’t commanding inside the penalty area. He flapped at crosses and corners. But Petrovic, who stands at 6ft 4ins, is nothing if not commanding, which we can see from his highlight reels.
Next season, Leeds will absolutely need to avoid conceding cheap goals from corners and loose balls inside the box. Bringing in Petrovic would help eliminate that risk.
Djordje Petrovic would be a costly signing for Leeds United
Whilst there are a lot of positives to take from a possible Petrovic move to Elland Road, it’s a move that will prove costly.
It’s speculated that Chelsea will sell Petrovic for £26million this summer. With Leeds having already agreed a deal to sign Jaka Bijol for £19million, and with plenty of other positions to bolster, Petrovic could be a bit on the expensive side for Farke.
That said, having a reliable goalkeeper in place could be the difference next season. And Petrovic could be the no.1 goalkeeper for years to come if he’s signed, so it could certainly prove to be an investment signing.