Leeds United and Burnley were the two top teams in the Championship last season and in the end there was very little to split the two.
Leeds United finished in 1st place of the Championship table. On the final day of the season, Leeds won the Championship title in dramatic fashion, pipping Scott Parker’s Burnley who took Leeds right to the wire, achieving 100 points and finishing behind Leeds United only on goal difference.
So far this summer, the two have made waves in the transfer market, and many might expect them to keep their heads above water in the Premier League next season.
But both still have much more to do, Leeds especially, with Daniel Farke in need of a new goalkeeper and multiple attackers. And after a flurry of new signings at Leeds United, with six new names now at Elland Road, it looks as though we could see a couple of player departures.
One departure that has been expected all year round is that of Illan Meslier. The goalkeeper was a weak link in the Leeds side last season and was eventually dropped for Karl Darlow.
Leeds United’s Illan Meslier urged to take a leaf out of James Trafford’s book
Going into the summer transfer window, multiple reports stated that Meslier was expected to leave Leeds United this summer, and over the last few weeks, reports linking the Frenchman with a move away from West Yorkshire have increased. Meslier has transfer interest from Turkey, with the likes of Fenerbahce understood to be interested.
Meanwhile, journalist Graham Smyth previously reported that transfer interest in Meslier is heating up, although nothing is at a formal stage right now. However, Leeds United are about to sign Lucas Perri from Lyon. The Brazilian goalkeeper will replace Meslier and looks set to undergo his medical at Thorp Arch in the imminent future.
With Perri now set to join, it puts the final nail in the coffin for Meslier. Speaking to Football League World, though, pundit Don Goodman has insisted that Meslier can bounce back, urging him to take note of James Trafford’s shortcomings in the Premier League but his bounce-back with Burnley in the Championship last season.
Goodman said: “There were just too many errors that were costing Leeds United points so it’ll be an interesting one, as I said sometimes goalkeepers can have seasons where they’re not quite at their best.
“James Trafford is a perfect example of that, in the Premier League struggled with Burnley – ultimately got left out – and then bounced back last season and broke all manner of records and became a very much sought after goalkeeper by clubs higher up the food chain than Burnley.”
Alex Cairns has given Illan Meslier the seal of approval at Leeds United
In his five years at Leeds, Meslier has made 214 appearances for the club, keeping 72 clean sheets, and there have been times when we’ve been talking about Meslier as being one of the best young goalkeepers in the country.
In fact, Meslier has had links to Manchester United even this year, showing how much he’s rated by some of the top teams in the country. And speaking recently, fellow Leeds United goalkeeper Alex Cairns gave his verdict on Meslier’s attitude at Leeds United.
Cairns explained that Meslier has handled being dropped by Farke very well. Cairns adds that Meslier remains a top goalkeeper and that all goalkeepers have difficult parts in their career, though Meslier is doing his best to get back on his feet.
Cairns said: “Myself, Karl [Darlow] and Illan have all been through difficult parts in our career. And I can honestly say he’s handled it absolutely brilliantly. He’s come out firing. At the end of the day, there’s no getting away from the fact he’s a top goalkeeper.”
Where Meslier ends up this summer remains to be seen. There are murmurings on social media that Leicester City could sign the Frenchman, and whilst Foxes fans might have reservations, the Championship looks like it remains Meslier’s level right now.
If he can make like Trafford and win the Golden Glove next season, then we might well be talking about Meslier as one of the best young stoppers in the country once again.
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