Injury analyst and Sky Sports contributor Ben Dinnery has given GiveMeSport a verdict on the condition of Leeds United goalkeeper Illan Meslier after missing training through illness.
Jesse Marsch stated that the Frenchman had been absent due to glandular fever and is a doubt for the Whites’ next Premier League clash, per LeedsLive.
Meslier has made 14 league appearances for the club this season, keeping two clean sheets in the process.
Leeds’ return to league action comes against Manchester City on 28th December. Dinnery expects Meslier to be back in time for the clash, though if he was an outfield player, he doesn’t think the outcome would be the same.
He stated: “If it had been an outfield player, I would have been a little bit more concerned in terms of that absence from this core nucleus of mid-season training block, as it were. Because he’s a goalkeeper, I’m not so worried.
“The expectation is if he does respond really well and progress as hoped, he should train up into gameweek 16, so train ahead of those festive fixtures. And as long as, like I said, he comes through that without any issues, then Meslier is a player that I would expect to be in that Leeds starting lineup.”
TIF Thoughts on Dinnery’s comments…
We believe that Leeds fans will be delighted to hear that the illness concerning their No 1 shouldn’t keep him out for the game with Man City.
At 22 years old, Meslier has adapted well to life in the Premier League. His first season in England’s top flight saw him keep 11 clean sheets across the 2020/21 campaign.
This season, Meslier has certainly been tested plenty so far in between the posts, making a total of 44 saves.
There’s been a fair bit of interest in the ‘keeper, as The Express has reported that both Manchester United and Chelsea could look to sign him during the January transfer window.
The Blues in particular are looking to sign a new goalkeeper to potentially replace Edouard Mendy, according to the same report.
Meslier could well be one to watch in the upcoming transfer windows. He’s still very young, and if he continues to progress and develop, more clubs may be sniffing around him.