Leeds United: Beren Cross drops worrying claim about Illan Meslier’s future

Leeds United journalist Beren Cross has claimed that goalkeeper Illan Meslier could well be the target of some transfer speculation this summer.

The 22-year-old Frenchman, having spent the majority of his first season at the club on the bench, has managed to establish himself as the club’s number one, only missing three league games whilst they have been in the top flight, playing with such regularity that he managed to break the record for youngest goalkeeper to make 50 appearances in the Premier League back in December.

This season has certainly been tough for him as the numbers show. He has conceded by far and away the most goals in the Premier League so far this season with 67, but has also made the most saves in the league with 109, showing just how busy he has been with a leaky defence in front of him (per FBRef). However, it’s fair to say that a whole host of injuries in front of him hasn’t helped his or Leeds’ cause at all.

And speaking on the latest episode of the Blue, White and Yellow podcast (56:33) as part of a discussion about what the summer transfer window might look like, Cross mentioned that as well as the likes of Kalvin Phillips and Raphinha who have both reportedly been subject to interest from other clubs, that the goalkeeper could very well be in a similar boat whereby clubs might be willing to take a look at him:

“As uncomfortable as it is Raphinha, Phillips and Meslier are the three big-ticket items in that Leeds squad. So there’s going to be interest if you are a Premier League side with players of that quality and not playing in Europe, you’re always going to be at risk of having your players poached.”

TIF Thoughts on Beren Cross’ comments about Illan Meslier at Leeds United…

Meslier, who signed for £5.85m, has certainly proved himself to be useful in the Premier League, last season ranking 4^th in terms of save percentage with 75.1 (via FBRef), higher than the likes of David De Gea, Ederson and Alisson, and he’s clearly doing his best this season despite the poor efforts being put up by those in front of him which have seen him face a total of 173 shots with his closest competitor only facing 138 (via FBRef).

So he has shown some promise which could lead to a number of clubs taking an interest in him as Cross hints at in his comments.

And with the club heading into a new era under Jesse Marsch, if they are to stay up, it might make sense for them to sell him on in order to fund a transfer window that will allow Marsch to build the team in his own image, so it’s certainly one to keep an eye on as the season moves on.

In other news: Leeds star issues big three-word injury update with image on Instagram