Leeds United failed to bring in the attackers needed towards the end of the window, which would have boosted Daniel Farke’s chances of keeping the team in the Premier League. However, the club also failed to move on a couple of players, who are not part of the manager’s long-term plans.
The Yorkshire giants have been insisting over the last few days that a bad deadline day should not overshadow the good work they carried out over the course of a window where they signed 10 new players for a combined outlay of more than £100m.
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However, it is difficult to escape the feeling that Leeds are now gambling on the fitness of a couple of forwards, who have had huge injury issues over the last couple of years. The team have looked short in attack at the start of the season.
But it is easy to forget that Leeds still have players in their squad who should have been out, and Illan Meslier is one of the players the Whites were keen to move on in the last summer transfer window.
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Leeds United insider insists Illan Meslier is not even the number one for a Championship club
The Yorkshire Evening Post’s Graham Smyth has given his take on why Lees failed to move on the French goalkeeper in the last transfer window.
He pointed out that Meslier lost his place in the team last season to Karl Darlow when Leeds were in the Championship, so he is not good enough for even that level.
He stressed that he is now third-choice at Leeds in the Premier League this season and is nowhere close to getting minutes again at Elland Road.
Smyth conceded that it was no surprise the clubs were not too keen on signing the French goalkeeper despite the talent he showed earlier in his career.
“He’s no longer number one at a Championship club, never mind a Premier League club”, Smyth said on the Elland Road Podcast.
“He’s been replaced by Karl Darlow. He’s then found himself third in the pecking order, and it’s quite clear there’s no place for him in the league squad.
“So, that’s a big red flag, you know, for a buying club. I’m not really surprised that they find it difficult to shift him.”
Leeds managing director Robbie Evans indicated that Meslier didn’t receive offers from clubs that he would have liked.
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