Former Newcastle United midfielder Jonjo Shelvey has credited Leeds United outcast Illan Meslier for playing an unexpected role in saving the North East club.
Both Leeds and Newcastle were battling against relegation from the Premier League in the 2021/22 season, when they met in a crucial clash at Elland Road.
Marcelo Bielsa was enduring a difficult second season in the top flight and would eventually leave the club within a month, to be replaced by Jesse Marsch.
Leeds dominated the game against Newcastle but struggled to find a goal in the absence of the injured Patrick Bamford, before Shelvey pinched all three points with a dramatic late free-kick.
Now, the former Newcastle man has admitted that the win was crucial in saving Eddie Howe’s side from relegation, months after the Saudi-backed takeover of the club.
Jonjo Shelvey credits Illan Meslier for saving Newcastle United
Newcastle travelled to Elland Road with just one victory to their name, as both clubs fought for their Premier League survival.
Shelvey had Illan Meslier to thank for his late goal to settle the game, as the Leeds goalkeeper failed to produce a routine save as the midfielder drilled a free-kick low towards goal.
Now, speaking to BBC Sport, Shelvey has explained why he believes that goal was crucial in saving Newcastle from the drop, “If I had not scored that, the club would have gone down!” Shelvey said.
“I’m joking. Looking back at it, you don’t realise how big a goal it was and, to be fair, the keeper [Illan Meslier] chucked one in for us.
“I scuffed the life out of it. But I’ve only got good things to say about my time at Newcastle. I loved it.”
Illan Meslier’s first-team exile continues at Leeds United
Despite being a prodigiously talented young goalkeeper, Illan Meslier’s errors eventually caught up with him as he was replaced by Karl Darlow in Leeds’ promotion run-in last season.
Meslier was widely linked with a move away from Leeds this summer, which never materialised. However, he has not played under Farke and only returned to the squad following an injury to Lucas Perri.
Illan Meslier’s Leeds career: (Data from TransferMarkt)
- Played: 214
- Goals Conceded: 283
- Clean Sheets: 72
The Frenchman’s contract is due to expire at the end of the season and, with the likes of Celtic in the race to sign him, he looks unlikely to regain his place as Leeds’ number one.
This would be a sad end to the Leeds career of a player who once, having looked so assured when he first forced his way into Bielsa’s team.
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