Illan Meslier admits he did not enjoy playing under Marcelo Bielsa at Leeds United

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Illan Meslier has told a France press conference – as per Beanyman Sports on YouTube – that he did not enjoy playing under Marcelo Bielsa at Leeds, as sometimes the relentless demands did not always pay off for the players.

Meslier, 23, joined Leeds in the summer of 2019 – a year after Marcelo Bielsa had joined the club. Prior to that, Leeds had a mix of Bailey Peacock-Farrell and then Kiko Casilla between the sticks. Meslier initially joined on loan.

But it was not until Casilla was banned, that Meslier got his chance towards the end of the 2019-20 season. From that moment on, the France U21 stopper has been first choice at Elland Road – since clocking up 119 appearances.

Meslier spent two and a half seasons under the guidance of Bielsa. But now, in an interview with French media in the international break, he was asked if it was fun to play under Bielsa. He responded, disagreeing and explains why.

“Fun? I don’t know. I don’t think so. When you get the result, it’s alright. I have big respect for him but when it’s not working, it’s very difficult for us because we give a lot of effort but don’t get a result. It was difficult,” Meslier said.

Illan Meslier did not enjoying playing under Marcelo Bielsa at Leeds

The main reason that Meslier might not have enjoyed playing under Bielsa, is that given the attacking style of play under the Argentine gaffer, meant that Leeds were often exposed at the back. Meslier failed to keep the goals out.

But it was not the young French star’s doing – and more, the tactics. Playing 76 times under Bielsa, Meslier shipped 120 goals and kept just 23 clean sheets – seven of which came in 11 games under Bielsa while in the second tier.

Bielsa’s failings came in the second season in the Premier League. An unwillingness to add some balance to a Leeds side designed to go all-out attack. It saw Meslier ship six to Liverpool, five at Old Trafford, seven to Manchester City.

No wonder, then, why Meslier might not have enjoyed – at least the latter stages – his time under Bielsa.