The good news is that, when it comes to replacing Illan Meslier at Elland Road, Leeds United are unlikely to be short of attractive options.
Liverpool’s Coaihmin Kelleher is preferred option amongst many Leeds United supporters – the Irishman dreams of regular first-team football and he won’t get that at Anfield as long as Alisson Becker sticks around – while Aaron Ramsdale can be snapped up from Southampton for just £25 million thanks to a relegation clause in his contract.
A clause which became active as the final whistle blew at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Sunday. Southampton became the first team relegated from the Premier League with seven games still to play.
Leeds are reportedly eyeing Nick Pope and James Trafford too. A pair of England internationals at either end of the age spectrum.
But what Djordje Petrovic may lack in terms of proven Premier League experience – at least in comparison to Kelleher, Ramsdale and Pope – the Chelsea stopper arguably makes up for both in potential and in ability.
Leeds United target Djordje Petrovic among world’s best goalkeepers
According to the latest figures provided by the CIES Football Observatory – ranking the best goalkeepers in world football at the current moment – Gianluigi Donnarumma of Paris Saint-Germain sits top of the tree, thanks in part to his stellar display at Anfield in the Champions League last-16.
Petrovic, meanwhile, comes in at eleventh.
More outstanding performances like Sunday’s away to Stade Reims, meanwhile, could see the Strasbourg loanee climb into the top ten sooner rather than later.
While Leeds have turned to Karl Darlow in a desperate attempt to cut down on the blunders which threatened to ruin their promotion charge – the veteran goalkeeper has started the last two games now with Illan Meslier dropped to the bench – there are certainly no such concerns at Strasbourg.
Former Hull City and Derby County coach Liam Rosenior thinks Strasbourg have a truly ‘world-class’ goalkeeper in Djordje Petrovic.
And the Serbia international pulled off what he himself describes as ‘one of the best saves of my career’ over the weekend, Petrovic became the first shot-stopper to keep four clean sheets in four successive away games in Strasbourg’s 91-year top-flight history.
“This unprecedented run is largely attributed to the talent and determination of the Serbian goalkeeper,” French publication Media Sportif, Petrovic making an ‘exceptional’ block with his left boot while off-balance to ensure Ismael Doucoure’s early goal would lead the Alsace club into the Champions League places.
“[Petrovic] has established himself as a key pillar of the Strasbourg defence. His influence on the pitch continues to grow, making him a key figure in the team.”
Chelsea loanee Petrovic keen on Champions League football in France
Strasbourg have featured semi-regularly in the Europa League and UEFA Cup over the years. They have never graced the Champions League stage before, however, though that could change under their Wandsworth-born head coach Rosenior.
The biggest obstacle to Leeds’ chances of bringing Petrovic back to England, though, is that the man himself seems pretty content with life across the Channel.
If his feline reflexes end up being the biggest reason why Strasbourg are competing with Barcelona, Real Madrid and Liverpool in the UCL next term, Petrovic will be in no rush to close the book with the story only half-finished.
“It’s the most important part of the season,” the 6ft 4ins colossus told reporters a week ago. “Our goal is to finish in the top four and play in the Champions League next year.
“We’re approaching these games one after the other. I could even say ‘final after final’. We have to play each game like a final. That’s our mindset for the end of the season.
“I’ve always had confidence in my ability to improve,” Petrovic adds. “I’ve made more progress than I expected. I still have a bit of room to improve before the end of the season.
“I’m focused on finishing the season in the best possible way.
“We’ll see what happens this summer. Staying could be a very good option if Strasbourg plays in the Champions League.”
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