Roy Keane has told Sky Sports in his analysis of Leeds United’s dismal 5-1 defeat to Crystal Palace that Illan Meslier lacked “bravery” and identified a key weakness in the Frenchman’s game – his inability to dominate the penalty area.
Meslier, 23, recently became the youngest goalkeeper in history to reach 100 Premier League games, and he has been our saviour at times this season. Some truly wonderful displays. On Sunday, it was much the opposite for him.
The Frenchman did little to stop Palace as the Eagles soared, scoring five including four in the second half. A real game of two halves, as Leeds dominated the early proceedings – only for Palace to completely brush Leeds aside.
The second time Meslier has conceded five this season – the other away at Brentford. In the last five games, Meslier has conceded 15 goals in his last five Premier League games. Keane criticised the Frenchman on Sunday evening.
“The keeper should do better. The goalkeeper should be a little bit braver. He’s got to come out and dominate but that’s certainly not one of his strengths,” Keane told Sky Sports after Sunday’s loss, when discussing Meslier.
Roy Keane says Illan Meslier lacked bravery in Leeds defeat to Palace
Meslier was poor, and in all honesty, he has not been his brilliant best since the arrival of Javi Gracia. Just one clean sheet in Gracia’s seven Premier League games is simply not good enough. 16 goals have flown past him in that time.
Of course, all of that is not simply attributed to Meslier. There have been mistakes in defence, a lack of cover from the middle of the park. On Sunday, it was clear that we missed both Max Wober and Tyler Adams when defending.
Receive a digest of our best Leeds content each week direct to your mailbox
