Illan Meslier is the talking point once again after the full-time whistle on Saturday afternoon as the Leeds United goalkeeper endured arguably, his worst performance in a Leeds shirt.
Having been largely at fault for Hull’s first goal, Leeds came back to go 3-1 in front in the second half. But instead of seeing the game out, Leeds surrendered a two-goal lead and Meslier was front and centre.
Firstly, Meslier decided to try and catch a looping ball but colliding with the bar, he dropped the ball and it fell to Joao Pedro who scored. Then, he was mailed away from Abu Kamara’s later equaliser for 3-3.
It is not the first time Meslier has made mistakes this season, having allowed an innocuous-looking effort go in in injury time at Sunderland. The goal saw Leeds fail to hold on to a 2-1 win at the Stadium of Light.
Jon Newsome says if he’d sell Illan Meslier in January window
Meslier is now costing Leeds points. There is no doubt about that and it was proven once again at Hull, and understandably, Leeds fans are not happy with Meslier with the January window now in full flow.
Speaking on BBC Radio Leeds after full-time, former Leeds defender Jon Newsome was asked if he would sell Meslier in the January window. He replied by saying it makes no sense to sell in the coming weeks.
“I don’t know if you cash in in January, because you don’t get anything like the money you should be expecting. Then you have to have a replacement before you let him go so I don’t think that works.
“But, he is the architect of all three goals. Wober was to blame for the first one, but Meslier didn’t cover himself his glory. The second and third is ludicrous, the third he should save that,” Newsome said.
How Illan Meslier compares with his Championship rivals
Meslier has 14 clean sheets this season, but the Frenchman’s stats are hardly down to him. Leeds often control games and the clean sheets are often down to Joe Rodon, Pascal Struijk and the Leeds defence.
| Name | Club | Games | Clean sheets | Goals conceded | Save percentage |
| 1. James Trafford | Burnley | 25 | 16 | 9 | 85.0% |
| 2. Michael Cooper | Sheffield United | 24 | 14 | 15 | 79.2% |
| 3. Aynsley Pears | Blackburn | 25 | 10 | 23 | 78.1% |
| 4. Alex Palmer | West Brom | 26 | 11 | 21 | 76.9% |
| 5. Viktor Johansson | Stoke | 26 | 8 | 32 | 75.4% |
| – | – | – | – | – | – |
| 18. Illan Meslier | Leeds United | 26 | 14 | 19 | 66.1% |
But delve a little deeper and Meslier is found out. James Trafford and Michael Cooper lead the clean sheet stats because they make saves, while Stoke’s Viktor Johansson is one of the Championship’s best players.
The save percentage stat is damning against Meslier. For Leeds to get promotion, they cannot have the 18th best shot-stopper in the Championship between the sticks. Time to go and buy a replacement.
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