Leeds United goalkeeper Illan Meslier will retain his place after the international break despite his blunder in the 2-2 draw against Sunderland last week, according to Give Me Sport.
The Whites headed to the Stadium of Light to face a team who had recorded four home wins from four without conceding a goal. They looked on course to pick up a huge three points when goals from Joel Piroe and Junior Firpo saw them enter the dying stages of the game with a 2-1 lead. However, disaster struck with virtually the last kick of the game when Alan Browne knocked a seemingly innocuous ball goalwards, which slipped through Meslier’s hands into the net.
There’s no getting away from the fact that it was a dreadful mistake, although the majority of the Leeds squad rallied round their goalkeeper after the full time whistle. Speaking after the game, manager Daniel Farke refused to criticise his number one, saying:
“After such a situation, you don’t need to talk to Illan, he is the saddest person in the dressing room, he’s more or less in tears. After such a situation, you don’t need to speak about it – no-one wants to hear any words.
“Pascal (Struijk) came over and said he had never seen anything like this. He said it bounced and jumped in the other direction because there was a mark on the pitch.
“I can’t tell you if that was the case because I wasn’t on the pitch, but Pascal was probably in the best position to see. If it was this, it was unbelievably unlucky.
“To lose those points in this way is heartbreaking, is horrendous, is so sad and disappointing for our lads.”
Meslier has been an ever-present at Elland Road since joining on a permanent basis from Fresh outfit Lorient in 2020. This followed a successful season-long spell, where he broke into the team during the latter stages of the 2019/20 campaign to help Leeds secure the Championship title.
He remained with the club following their relegation from the Premier League in 2023, although there has been constant speculation surrounding his future. Despite that, he remains Farke’s first choice and has played every minute of the Yorkshire-based side’s Championship season so far.
It looks as if he will keep his spot between the sticks once the domestic season resumes against Sheffield United next week. It is claimed that the manager retains faith in the 24-year-old. However, it is worth noting that his other goalkeeper options are limited. Veteran Karl Darlow is the club’s second choice, whilst 31-year-old Alex Cairns was signed from Salford City in the summer.
Writer’s View
Daniel Farke is right to keep the faith with Meslier. He is a goalkeeper that has more than proven his worth over the years and is still a long way off his peak. If Leeds are going to have a successful season and challenge for the Championship title, the Frenchman will be pivotal to their aspirations.
It is an error that will be replayed over and over again in the coming months, but goalkeeper mistakes are often costly. This one proved as such but it is one that is unlikely to be repeated, such was the freakish nature of the goal. Dropping him would only hinder his confidence. The squad showed in the aftermath of the game that they are all behind their teammate and in making this decision, so has the manager.
