BBC pundit says what Leeds United have done with 23-year-old player is really ‘unusual’

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Leeds United secured a place in the fifth round of The FA Cup on Tuesday with a win over Plymouth Argyle – and Matt Upson gave his verdict on Illan Meslier during his role as co-commentator.

Goals from Willy Gnonto, Cree Summerville and Georginio Rutter saw Leeds secure a place in the next round, with the Whites set to go up against either Aston Villa or Chelsea away from home in the fifth.

While numerous players starred – Ilia Gruev and even captain Liam Cooper, Meslier struggled. The wind didn’t help, but the French stopper was guilty of a number of wayward, overhit long balls to the flanks.

Not only that, but there is an argument to be had that he should have claimed the free-kick that saw Plymouth equalise through Brendan Galloway. But, he does have four clean sheets in seven games.

Still only 23, Meslier has now surpassed 150 games for Leeds. An incredible amount for a player of his age, let alone a goalkeeper. Matt Upson was on co-commentary on BBC One, and he discussed Meslier.

“It is unusual for a goalkeeper to have had that many appearances at that age. [Marcelo] Bielsa really did put a lot of faith into such a young goalkeeper,” Upson said, when told he’d played almost 160 games.

Matt Upson delivers verdict on Leeds goalkeeper Illan Meslier

Meslier’s record is superb. The youngest goalkeeper to reach 10 clean sheets in the Premier League, and the youngest to win 100 Premier League games. Overtaking Joe Hart on both occasions of late.

Keeping this young core of players is key to the future of Leeds. The likes of Pascal Struijk, Ethan Ampadu, Cree Summerville, Willy Gnonto, Georgie Rutter and Meslier. Hopefully, he stays at Leeds.