In what has seemed a never-ending cycle of injuries and absences this season, Leeds United once again sustained numerous casualties in the chaotic 3-2 win against Wolves at Molineux.
One such victim was Illan Meslier, the 22-year-old ‘senior’ keeper being forced off the pitch following his collision with Raul Jimenez that led to the Mexican’s dismissal.
Kristoffer Klaesson came on for his senior debut and made several impressive stops as worries about his readiness for such a stage were put to one side with an extremely solid showing in trying circumstances.
Many who had watched Klaesson’s performances for Leeds’ under 23’s would have been forgiven for hiding behind their sofas when the realisation dawned that Meslier would be coming off at Molineux, with his Norwegian understudy having made several unsightly errors for the development squad.
Klaesson did indeed have one or two shaky moments through the game but the 21-year-old grew into it as time went on and by the end was one of the main reasons behind Leeds leaving the West Midlands with all 3 points.
It has been confirmed from the club since that whilst not involved in training Meslier is expected to be fit for the visit of Southampton to Elland Road this weekend, and after Klaesson’s showing it leaves a tricky dilemma for new boss Jesse Marsch to try and solve.
Leaving a fully fit Klaesson between the sticks might give Meslier the luxury of extra time to recover if his injuries are still debilitating him by the weekend, whilst it could also encourage healthy competition between the two stoppers if Klaesson can replicate his Wolves display.
The risk of course is that the Norwegian’s debut ends up as a flash in the pan inspired by the chaos of the game in question, and a full debut at Elland Road sees him revert back to some of the silly errors we have seen him make for the u23’s.
It could be argued that we’ll never know unless he’s given a chance, and that perhaps has some truth in it. It can also be said that the game against the Saints is another opportunity for Leeds to put daylight between themselves and the bottom three, and if available those belonging to the strongest starting XI should play.
The state of Meslier’s injury come the weekend will be the key factor in which way this pendulum swings, but it could well be that Leeds need Klaesson to perform some heroics once again.
