Illan Meslier’s error at Fratton Park led to Portsmouth scoring the crucial winner against Leeds United. The Frenchman has been the number one at Elland Road for more than five years now. However, his performances this season have frustrated the Leeds fans despite Daniel Farke showing steadfast support for his number one goalkeeper. He has made several high profile errors, which have directly led to Leeds dropping points and patience is running thin within the Leeds fanbase. There is a clear acknowledgement that Leeds need a better goalkeeper next season if they get promoted and the name of Caoimhin Kelleher has emerged as a target for the Whites in the summer transfer window.
Leeds United are very much in the middle of a tough battle for automatic promotion after dropping five points in their last two games – a draw at home against West Brom and a defeat at Portsmouth.
Meslier’s performance at Fratton Park contributed to Portsmouth scoring the winning goal when he was too indecisive to come for the ball initially and didn’t make himself big for Colby Bishop.
It was not the first error of the season from the Frenchman and he has been hugely inconsistent this term, which has led to Leeds conceding silly goals from time to time.
Farke won’t change his goalkeeper with ten games left in the season, but if Leeds get promoted, the German must not allow emotions to dictate his decisions.
Meslier could be a liability in the Premier League next season and with Coaimhin Kelleher available in the market, Leeds cannot afford to be indecisive in the summer.
Caoimhin Kelleher would be a massive upgrade on Illan Meslier at Leeds United
Meslier will have a year left on his contract at the end of the season and Leeds should decide to move him on in the summer transfer window.
Promotion to the Premier League should definitely bring an end to the Frenchman’s time at Elland Road as he is clearly not good enough, no matter what he feels about his future.
Leeds need an upgrade and a goalkeeper such as Aaron Ramsdale will be looking for a new club in the next summer transfer window. However, Kelleher should be the number one target.
Alisson Becker’s performance against Paris Saint-Germain last week showed why the Irishman would never get the chance to be the Liverpool number one.
He will be in the market next summer as Liverpool will look to cash in given he will be entering the final year of his contract at the Merseyside club.
If Leeds get promoted to the Premier League, the Irishman would be a more than realistic target for the Whites who need a commanding presence inside the penalty box.
Liverpool are also likely to sell him for a fee of £20m to avoid the prospect of watching him leave on a free transfer at the end of next season.
Leeds must not waste time on trying to sign Kelleher if they get promoted
Kelleher would be a number one at any other Premier League club but he has been unfortunate that he has been behind Alisson at Anfield for the last few years.
The Irishman will definitely move on from Liverpool in the summer and he is likely to choose a club where he will be guaranteed to be number one.
Even if Meslier refuses to leave in the summer, it is more than easy to assume that Kelleher would easily replace him in the starting eleven if he joins Leeds.
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He is by far the better goalkeeper and Leeds will have no problems in giving him guarantees of being the undisputed number one at Elland Road.
Leeds would want to secure automatic promotion as it would give them a little more time to move on certain players, but they should not waste any time in moving for Kelleher.
The Liverpool goalkeeper would solve one of the biggest problem areas of the Leeds squad and a move for him is a complete no-brainer.
