Leeds United would need to spend loads to replace Illan Meslier as transfer verdict shared
Don Goodman believes it would likely cost “a lot of money” if Leeds United are to upgrade on Illan Meslier in the summer transfer window.
Meslier has had some shaky moments this season, but he ended the regular campaign with the joint-most clean sheets of any Championship goalkeeper.
The France Under-21s stopper struggled last season as Leeds were relegated from the Premier League, where they are hoping to return via the play-offs.
Asked if United may need to consider bringing in an alternative to Meslier prior to next season, Goodman told MOT Leeds News: “Well what I see is a young goalkeeper that got smashed up last season in the Premier League.
“He made so many errors and yet was kept in the firing line when he perhaps shouldn’t have been. That can’t have been good for his confidence.
“Then this season, in the main, he has performed very well and made some key saves. Of course there are obviously going to be mistakes along the way. But he’s so young and is still improving and learning.
“What would it cost Leeds United to upgrade on him? I’d suspect it’s a lot of money. Is that an investment Leeds are really going to make? I guess the answer to that is what division they are going to be playing their football in next season.
“Ultimately, he’s kept the joint-most clean sheets, helped by a solid wall in front of him that have protected him, and it’s been a solid season.”
Illan Meslier record for Leeds United this season
Meslier kept 18 clean sheets for Leeds in 44 regular-season league outings for Leeds, which is level with West Brom’s Alex McCarthy. Both men then kept shutouts in their respective play-off semi-final first legs.
Leeds’ first-choice stopper has the second-best clean sheet percentage in the second tier (41 per cent), behind Sheffield Wednesday’s James Beadle (42 per cent) [FBref].
While he has been helped by a very strong defence, and while he may be susceptible to the odd error, Meslier has had a good season for Leeds on the whole.
The question, though, is whether he is then good enough for another Premier League campaign should Leeds go up.
That is a question Daniel Farke and the transfer team will have to answer swiftly if promotion is indeed achieved.
In other Leeds United news, a Farke sack verdict has been shared after an “unfathomable” development.
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