Why Leeds United should secure Illan Meslier permanently
According to Foot Mercato via Sports Witness (h/t Leeds Live), Illan Meslier is set to sign a three-year deal with Leeds United.
The young goalkeeper’s entourage is expected to arrive in England in the coming days to finalise his permanent transfer from French side FC Lorient. Meslier joined the Championship winners on loan just last summer in a deal which included an automatic purchase option if Leeds earned promotion to the Premier League.
With the side now returning to the top-flight after a long 16 years, Leeds are keen to secure a permanent move for the 20-year-old. Meanwhile, Meslier, despite his inexperience and young age, did not take much time to adjust to the new surroundings at Elland Road this season.
He has played a key role since the restart, featuring in 10 of their final 11 league games. What makes Meslier even more special is the fact that he has conceded just four goals and kept an impressive seven clean sheets in such a short period of time. Having proved his potential already, Leeds’ interest in landing him permanently makes complete sense.
Meslier a proven customer with Leeds United
The young shot-stopper was earlier brought into the side as a back-up for main man Kiko Casilla and had spent the major share of his time at Elland Road on the sidelines.
However, Casilla had received an eight-game ban and £60,000 fine back in February after being found guilty of racially abusing Charlton Athletic forward Jonathan Leko during a clash between both sides.
This opened the doors for Meslier, who since then has guarded the post for Marcelo Bielsa’s side, playing a key role in helping them secure promotion to the top-flight. Before featuring for the Whites in the Championship, Meslier had won the crowd with his standout displays between the sticks in their FA Cup third-round defeat to Arsenal back in January.
Also, with Casilla’s future at the club remaining uncertain as of now, Leeds’ decision to make Meslier’s move a permanent one seems like a step in the right direction.
Apart from Casilla, Leeds just have teenager Elia Caprile as a back-up. However, the young keeper lacks experience and had joined them recently from Chievo Verona in the winter transfer window.
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Verdict
The current situation at Elland Road gives a clear picture that Leeds are in need of an established goalkeeper and Meslier has already proved his potential at Leeds this season. His arrival will offer Bielsa a good choice in goal in the Premier League and Meslier’s young age means he could be their main man between the sticks on a long-term basis.
