The story of Leeds United goalkeeper Illan Meslier has been interesting to watch over the past few years. He came unto the scene as a relatively unknown talent from France.
He was one of the more under the radar signings for the club at that time. But when he adjusted to English football, he showed immense quality. Leeds then signed him on a permanent deal from Lorient, as he continued to be the club’s first choice keeper. At his best, he was tipped to be the successor to France’s Hugo Lloris in the future.
But since then, his career has taken a sharp downward curve. It was Leeds’ 2022/23 season in the Premier League that Sam Allardyce benched the Frenchman as he tried to save them from relegation.
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Jonjo Shelvey says Illan Meslier ‘saved’ Newcastle United
Illan Meslier Credit: Imago
Leeds eventually went down, and when Daniel Farke took over, he continued to trust in Meslier. But last season, when the Whites were on the brink of securing promotion, the German made the huge call to bench the 25-year old for Karl Darlow. The Welshman took over and Meslier has since been demoted to third choice in the team with the arrival of Lucas Perri.
Some of Meslier’s errors were really high profile; former Newcastle midfielder Jonjo Shelvey joked that the keeper’s error ‘saved’ the Magpies from relegation in the 2021/22 season.
Shelvey, speaking to BBC Sport, said that his goal against Leeds was the catalyst to survival that year: “If I had not scored that, the club would have gone down!”
“I’m joking. Looking back at it, you don’t realise how big a goal it was and, to be fair, the keeper [Illan Meslier] chucked one in for us.
“I scuffed the life out of it. But I’ve only got good things to say about my time at Newcastle. I loved it.”
Leeds United keeper could leave in January
It is a known secret that this will be Meslier’s last season at the club. His contract expires next summer, and he already has some clubs showing interest in him. His time with Leeds has come to it’s natural conclusion, and there is really no way back. Fans will look back on his time at the club with mixed reactions, but he still played a big part in promotion and their first season back in the Premier League.
