Leeds United boss Daniel Farke has made some strange calls this season, but most of them paid off at the end. This shows how good the German coach has done since he was hired.
Farke got his team promoted at the second time of asking, and only missed out narrowly last summer. The German’s decisions can be sometimes confusing, while other times are spot on. This season Farke made the baffling decision to use new signings Isaac Schmidt and Large Ramazani sparingly.
But he did make one big decision during the run in that eventually won the Championship.
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Leeds United star’s future has been revealed
Credit: Imago Images
After two major errors that cost the club points against Swansea, Daniel Farke benched Illan Meslier for Karl Darlow. The veteran goalkeeper was between the posts for the last seven games.
From the moment Meslier was benched, news around Elland Road suggested his time at the club was done. He was even linked with a return to France. Heading into the Premier League, there is almost no chance he is first choice. Now, there is a definite stance on his future at the club.
According to Adam Pope of the BBC, there is a high chance the Frenchman leaves the club. In his words:
“[Illan Meslier] probably has a future away from Elland Road.”
Meslier had been the club’s first choice keeper since 2020.
There is no way back for Meslier
As much as people can deny it, this season was the end for Illan Meslier. His time at the club started brightly, but his development stalled at one point. The 25-year old was once hailed as the next first choice keeper for France, and is now not on that trajectory.
Daniel Farke is not likely to reinstate the keeper in the Premier League next season. The Leeds boss lost confidence in Meslier after those crucial mistakes during the run in. The Frenchman has had a decent career at Elland Road, but it may finally be time to move on.
