The last two weeks haven’t been all that good for Leeds United, whose steady start to the new season could quickly take a downturn.
Although Leeds United find themselves in 12th place of the Premier League table for this September international break, there are a lot of supporters worried about how the season will eventually pan out.
And it comes after Leeds United failed to sign any new players on deadline day despite Daniel Farke admitting that the club needed to sign some more firepower.
Up next is a trip to Fulham, and an already difficult game has been made more so after it was revealed that Leeds United goalkeeper Lucas Perri has picked up an injury, meaning Karl Darlow will have to start against Fulham.
It also means Illan Meslier returns to the bench after his proposed move away from Elland Road didn’t materialise in time.
Illan Meslier playing for Leeds United.
Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images
Illan Meslier set for unexpected return to Leeds United squad
Meslier had a nightmare 2024/25 season. Despite keeping 21 clean sheets in the end, he made too many individual errors which could’ve cost Leeds United promotion. Eventually, Darlow replaced Meslier and Leeds United looked a whole lot better for it.
But whilst Darlow is a steady pair of hands, he’s not exactly a world-beater, and Darlow’s poor Premier League record proves that.
Statistic Games Goals conceded Clean sheets Conceded-per-game
Darlow in the PL 52 84 9 1.62
Meslier in the PL 107 197 21 1.84
On top of that, Darlow had a stinker against Sheffield Wednesday last month in what was his first competitive appearance for Leeds United this season.
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For Farke, if Perri is out for a while and Darlow doesn’t hold up, it might mean an unlikely return to the Leeds United XI for Meslier after last season’s antics.
Jamie Carragher was never impressed by Illan Meslier at Leeds United
Back in 2023, Leeds were thumped 6-1 by Liverpool. Meslier was in goal that game, and afterwards, Carragher gave a pretty brutal review of the Frenchman.
Carragher said post-match: “I’ve never been convinced with the goalkeeper – I know he’s a young player, Bielsa brought him up from the Championship and he was young then, maybe 20. He was good on the ball using his feet but he’s got no presence. It looks like you’ve got a kid in goal.
“I’ve always felt that. Okay, he’s a young goalkeeper making his way, but I’ve never felt convinced with him at all, and the defenders that they’ve got individually are really poor. Really poor, they make big mistakes every time they play.”
Now 25, Meslier would return to Premier League action as a much more experienced, and wise goalkeeper. But his performances last season weren’t even up to Championship level, so fans would have very little hope that Meslier would do well in the top flight.
For now though it’s Darlow who looks set to start in goal, and if he can refrain from any more mistakes then he’ll prove a decent stand-in for Perri until he returns to action.