Leeds United can make or break some players. The pressure of a one-club city can prove too much for some players when the heat is on. Just ask Brenden Aaronson at the moment.
Daniel Farke launched an impassioned defence of Aaronson in his press conference after Sunday’s 2-1 loss to Aston Villa. The USA star looks like he is playing with a huge weight on his shoulders currently.
He’s not the only one. Dominic Calvert-Lewin is struggling for goals, Lucas Perri is failing to prove that he was a solid summer purchase, and that is just among the current squad, as Leeds realise their challenge.
Plenty have joined Leeds as big signings and flopped. Rasmus Kristensen, Weston McKennie, even further back like Laurens De Bock and many more. In Illan Meslier’s case, the Frenchman made a superb start.
Looks like the end of the road for Illan Meslier at Leeds United…
Hugo Lloris’ 2021 verdict on an up-and-coming Illan Meslier
Joining Leeds in the summer of 2019 on loan, Meslier would only come into the side under Marcelo Bielsa towards the end of the season before signing permanently. Bielsa entrusted him to become Leeds’ no.1.
He broke records. Youngest goalkeeper to reach 100 Premier League games, youngest to get to 10 clean sheets, breaking both of Joe Hart’s records in the process. Hugo Lloris gave a glowing verdict of Meslier.
“There’s Illan Meslier, who is doing very nice things in the Premier League. A young goalkeeper. But when you look at what he’s doing at his age, in such a tough and intense league, it shows all his potential.”
Lloris’ prediction about Meslier could not be more wrong
While Meslier starred during Leeds’ first season in the Premier League under Marsch, the lofty Frenchman got progressively worse over the next two years and it resulted in Sam Allardyce dropping the £5m man.
In the Championship, Meslier clocked up many clean sheets but only due to the defence in front of him, rather than any super performances of his own. Last season, Meslier was eventually dropped by Farke.
The game that finally saw Daniel Farke drop Illan Meslier ❌
Two mistakes that Farke simply could not ignore.
Now, Meslier is third choice. There was even talk of Meslier being ousted from the 25-man squad, but he was eventually included behind Lucas Perri and Karl Darlow. Meslier is now in the final year of his deal.
Plenty of clubs are being linked with Meslier, most recently Inter Milan and AC Milan. But as far as Lloris’ prediction goes, Meslier has failed to live up to the billing after a stunning start in a Leeds United shirt.
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