Illan Meslier did not enjoy the best of starts to the season for Leeds United on Saturday.
The Frenchman continued his ‘shaky’ end to the 2023/24 campaign into the new one by conceding the first shot on target in which he faced.
At the time, Leeds had been in complete control of the match and should’ve been considerably further in front than the one they were, until Meslier let one in through his near post.
Statistically, Meslier was one of the worst shotstoppers in the Championship last season and that weakness does not look like it will be gone anytime soon.
The only one of Portsmouth’s four shots on target he did not concede on Saturday came from the halfway line, with the away side overperforming their expected goals (xG) by a significant margin.
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Daniel Farke has given his constant backing to Meslier as his number one ever since he walked through the door.
Meslier was at the lowest ever point of his career upon Farke’s arrival having been dropped under Sam Allardyce, but was reinstated for the new Championship season.
Despite tenuous links with Marseille, Meslier again looks like he will be staying put, with Farke even handing him the role of joint vice-captain with Pascal Struijk.
However, surely Farke can see that Meslier is a clear weakness in this team and can quite easily be upgraded. With two years left on his contract, and no sign of him improving, he should be sold.
This should particularly be taken into consideration by Leeds after the Daily Mail‘s latest report about Crystal Palace goalkeeper Sam Johnstone.
Johnstone, under his own wish, has been made available for transfer this summer having been stripped of his number one jersey. Dean Henderson now takes the role.
Nottingham Forest, Southampton, Wolves, Leicester and Bournemouth are all said to have shown initial interest, but all those clubs other than the Saints have established number ones.
Johnstone is keen on leaving Palace in order to play regularly and Leeds should hand him the opportunity to do so by shipping out Meslier and bringing him in.
What did Farke say about Meslier after Saturday error?
As mentioned, Farke has constantly defended Meslier ever since his appointment, even labelling him as ‘world class’ at points of last season.
Farke believes Meslier is the best goalkeeper in the division and maintained that view point despite Saturday’s costly error.
He said: “He’s a great shot-saver,” he said. “I’ve spoken about this, for me, he’s the best keeper in this league. You just have to think about the unbelievable saves of last season.
“In general, we had a bit the problem in the first half, the start was so much on the front foot, so easy, we underestimated a few situations. Especially as a goalkeeper, he was not involved at all and then the first strike on target.
“We have just cleared the set-piece. Perhaps he was not then 100 per cent focused. It’s difficult to judge it, I haven’t spoken with him.”
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