Leeds United goalkeeper Illan Meslier has been tipped to leave the club this summer. This comes off the back of last season, where he was benched in the run-in.
In the last few weeks of the season, the Whites were in the run for promotion and the league title. But the team hit a slump, and after a series of errors, Daniel Farke stepped in and made a decision. After a draw against Swansea, Karl Darlow was made number one till the end of the season. Leeds went on an unbeaten run in those last games and eventually won the title.
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Since Meslier was benched, multiple rumours have suggested that he would be leaving West Yorkshire.
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Former Leeds United coach speaks on Illan Meslier
Credit: Imago Images
But this is not the first time that the Frenchman has come close to leaving Leeds United. According to the club’s former goalkeeping coach Marcos Abad, the 25-year old was advised to leave when Leeds were relegated in 2023. He revealed this speaking to The Athletic:
“My advice was that maybe he had to leave, but he wanted to stay, to be promoted again with Leeds,” he said. “I understand (his decision), but, sometimes, as a goalkeeper, it’s important to know when you have to leave because, if not, it’s like every single action is going to be analysed very deeply. This is not healthy. This is not helpful.”
Meslier was benched at the tail end of that season, as Sam Allardyce tried to fight relegation, but eventually failed.
There is no way back for Meslier
Marcos Abad is right, Meslier’s performances have been put under the microscope since that year. And even though he showed some consistency and improvement in Daniel Farke’s first year, all it took was a few errors for his stocks to fall again.
The Frenchman’s time at Leeds is up, and hopefully, the club can help find a way out for him this summer.
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