YouTuber Joe Wainman has shared his thoughts as Leeds United goalkeeper Illan Meslier was believed to have attracted the interests of other Premier League clubs.
The Whites supporter was speaking on his YouTube channel after reading Phil Hay’s recent report on the French goalkeeper in The Athletic.
According to the Leeds correspondent, Tottenham Hotspur are now as interested in the 22-year-old goalkeeper as anyone.
Meslier has now been a major part of the Leeds starting XI for two full seasons in the Premier League, with 79 appearances already to his name in the top flight.
And amid comments from Victor Orta suggesting Leeds’ short-term aim is to become regular top-half challengers in the coming seasons, Wainman has raised his concerns, with Meslier being one of the players most likely to be scouted by some of Europe’s bigger sides after losing Kalvin Phillips and Raphinha to Champions League clubs over the summer.
He said: “We’re perennial top-10 candidates – that’s what Victor Orta said, and I know that might not be great for the romantics, but it’s sort of where we’re at as a football club right now.
“And of course, someone like a Meslier – [or] Jack Harrison, if he continues in the trajectory that he’s on – could indeed go and play European football.
“I think the most important player for us, personally, would be Illan Meslier. Jack Harrison can be replaced. I think finding someone with the potential and actual attributes that Meslier has is very, very hard to do.
“We’ve had some very good ‘keepers, but at the same time we’ve had some really poor ‘keepers in our most recent history.”
TIF Thoughts on Wainman’s comments…
Meslier still has four years remaining on his deal at Elland Road, so there is likely no immediate concern over losing the Frenchman to a team like Spurs.
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And even if that was the case, it would allow those at Leeds to demand a much higher asking price for Meslier.
However, there will likely be a concern over the long-term future of the 22-year-old given the likes of Phillips and Raphinha have shown their openness to leave Yorkshire for Champions League football.
And although it may be difficult to watch, it would be hard to deny Meslier the opportunity to play among Europe’s elite if a club like Spurs did come in for him next summer.