Talk over Illan Meslier’s position at Leeds United is rife, following another disastrous display in goal for the Frenchman.
It’s not getting any easier for Illan Meslier at Leeds United following Saturday’s 2-2 draw against Swansea City in the Championship, in which both the goals were arguably the fault of Meslier.
The 25-year-old was certainly at fault for the first, and it looked like he could’ve done a lot better for the second, leading to another wave of debate about the Leeds goalkeeper. But this wave is by far the biggest to date.
There’s been spells of criticism aimed at Meslier, after his nightmare mistake against Sunderland earlier in the season and then after another horror performance against Hull City earlier this year.
But Daniel Farke keeps on defending Meslier. He’s stuck to his guns so far but that Swansea game might be the final straw, especially with Leeds now sitting in 2nd place of the Championship table and at risk of dropping out of the top two entirely.
Illan Meslier isn’t ‘unpopular’ at Leeds United, says Graeme Bailey
There’s widespread speculation that Farke will now axe Meslier, once and for all, and place Wales no.1 Karl Darlow in goal for the final run in. But whether or not the German actually goes through with it remains to be seen, and it could be something that he mulls over this week ahead of the game at Luton Town on Saturday.
Speaking to Leeds United News though, insider Graeme Bailey has revealed that ‘there’s not much coming from the club’ around Meslier’s situation or future at Elland Road right now, insisting that Meslier ‘isn’t an unpopular player’ at Thorp Arch despite his latest antics in goal.
Bailey said: “He’s obviously a player very low on confidence. I think a change might come so he takes the pressure off himself, Farke, and the goalkeeper. There’s not much coming from the club around it, it’s Farke’s decision. Meslier isn’t an unpopular player, but he’s playing in that position that when if you’re having a bad time it affects everyone.”
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Daniel Farke could seek advice from one Leeds United man
Whilst the fans have been voicing their concerns about Meslier, so too has journalist Adam Pope who’s offered an interesting verdict on how Farke might handle the situation behind the scenes at Leeds United this week.
Pope has backed Farke to have a conversation with Ethan Ampadu to try and gather how the players feel about Meslier right now, and whether they have faith in him or not. Pope explained: “If he doesn’t drop that ball, then it’s another victory.
“Maybe Farke sits down with Ampadu and says, ‘Ethan do the lads trust him at all, be honest, look me in the eyes and tell me’. The way it’s going, this will ruin Leeds’ chances.”
But Ampadu may explain that the players are content. Per Bailey, Meslier isn’t a disliked player and that might suggest the players have retained faith in him, despite his numerous mistakes this season.
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