Illan Meslier’s poor performance at Hull City on Saturday has opened a can of worms about his place in the Leeds United team. Leeds have already been linked with a move for Liverpool’s Caoimhin Kelleher who could join the Whites on loan in the winter transfer window. However, Daniel Farke could opt for a solution from within and decide to promote Karl Darlow to the starting eleven while Meslier drops to the bench. The Welshman is an experienced goalkeeper and has already shown this season he could be an upgrade on the Frenchman in the short term.
Meslier’s disastrous performance at the MKM Stadium has led to some uncertainty around his place in the team going forward. The reactions of players such as Joe Rodon, Joel Piroe and Joe Rothwell were disconcerting.
Daniel Farke has kept his counsel on the Frenchman’s future in the team and is unlikely to say anything to ensure that Meslier and the others do not feel any extra pressure.
However, the noise around the goalkeeper’s pace in the team has continued to dominate headlines with suggestions that the club are considering bringing in a new shot-stopper in the winter window.
Kelleher has emerged as an option with claims that Leeds are exploring signing him on loan with a view to buy if they get promoted to the Premier League at the end of the season.
The Ireland international would be a massive upgrade but signing him would be complicated and Leeds do have another internal option they can opt for to shake up things between the sticks for the latter half of the season.
Karl Darlow has impressed on the international stage this season
Darlow has struggled to get into the Leeds starting eleven this season and despite Meslier’s inconsistencies, he has remained the first-choice goalkeeper this season.
However, he has continued to remain an option for Wales and has started in three of their UEFA Nations League clashes this season, where he has given some scintillating performances.
Darlow has shown for Wales that if given a run in the Leeds starting eleven, he could prove more effective between the sticks than Meslier on his current form.
In his three appearances, the Welshman just conceded once for his international team and looked solid and reliable between the sticks in the UEFA Nations League games.
He faced eight shots during those games for Wales and saved seven of them while looking safe and secure in goal for his national team.
The 34-year-old is widely experienced and that could come in handy for Leeds when the pressure cranks up in the latter half of the Championship campaign.
Meslier is struggling and the longer he stays in the team, the focus on him will get sharper and it could lead to more mistakes in the coming games.
Darlow deserves an opportunity and while changing the goalkeeper in the middle of the season can be disruptive, Meslier’s form dictates a shift in approach for Leeds.
However, Darlow’s only appearance in a Leeds shirt this season was alarming
Darlow made just one appearance for Leeds this season and it came in the 3-0 EFL Cup defeat against Middlesbrough at Elland Road towards the start of the season.
That performance showed why he was struggling to replace Meslier between the sticks. He was shaky and looked insecure in goal as Leeds crashed out of the cup competition.
He saved four of the seven shots he faced but looked poor overall and conceded three goals as Middlesbrough ran out comfortable winners at Elland Road.
The Welshman has since impressed on the international stage but it has not led to him getting more game time for Leeds in the last few months.
However, August was a long time back and Meslier’s form and the pressure on him mean he should be taken away from the firing line at least for the time being.
Farke must try out Darlow in goal for the short term and see whether he can provide more security and safety between the sticks in the second half of the season.
