One exiled Leeds United star’s hopes of getting their career back on track could be reignited after Valencia suffered an injury crisis.
Former Leeds assistant coach Carlos Corberan has endured a terrible season with Valencia, as they currently sit 18th in the La Liga table with just 16 points from 18 games.
On-loan Leeds forward Largie Ramazani has been part of a squad that has struggled to find form this season, with reports suggesting that Ramazani could return to Elland Road in January.
Jack Harrison has been suggested as a replacement for Ramazani as Corberan looks to find the spark he needs to lift Valencia away from the relegation places.
However, with an injury crisis currently ripping through one key position at the Mestalla, another Leeds star could be handed a lifeline in the January transfer window.
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Carlos Corberan could turn to Leeds United to solve Valencia crisis
With Valencia languishing in 18th place in the table, Corberan is currently enduring a goalkeeping crisis which threatens to further damage his survival hopes.
According to a report in Marca, first-choice goalkeeper Julen Agirrezabala has suffered a hamstring tear, which could rule him out for several weeks of the season.
With reserve goalkeeper Stole Dimitrievski also still recovering from an adductor tear suffered in mid-December, Corberan’s options in goal are limited.
As a result, Corberan may be forced to hand the third-choice option, Cristian Rivero, his first start in La Liga as he looks to navigate through this crisis.
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This is where Leeds come in. Valencia were previously linked with Illan Meslier, with the talented French goalkeeper deemed surplus to requirements at Elland Road after a string of high-profile errors in Leeds’ Championship-winning season.
With the January transfer window now open and Meslier’s contract set to expire at the end of the season, Corberan could do a lot worse than turning to Leeds’ exiled man to solve his goalkeeping crisis.
Illan Meslier cannot afford to waste a full year of his career
Meslier has endured a frustrating spell at Leeds since losing his place in the first team as the Championship season turned for home last season.
However, in truth, his career has been drifting for several years, having peaked during his first year in the Premier League under Marcelo Bielsa.
At just 25 years old, Meslier is still some way off the traditional peak of a goalkeeper’s career, which tends to come in their late 20s or early 30s.
However, having not played any football for more than six months, he is at risk of seeing a promising career slip through his fingers. If Valencia decide to offer him the chance to solve their goalkeeping crisis, he should grab it with both hands.
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