Illan Meslier &#8211; CaughtOffside

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Leeds fans will no doubt hope Meslier can rediscover his form and do his bit to help the club get back to the Premier League next season.

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Pundit tells Leeds to sell £20m-rated first XI player at the earliest opportunity

Jason Pettigrove — Tue, 19 Sep 2023 15:36:40 +0000

The win at The New Den against Millwall and the manner of Leeds’ performance would’ve surely pleased everyone associated with the club.

It was a 90 minutes that perfectly encapsulated the talent that Daniel Farke has available and when used efficiently, they are a match for anyone in the Championship.

The German has even got Willy Gnonto ticking again which, considering how adamant the player apparently was regarding leaving in the summer transfer window, is some man-management skill.

When the team is playing like that it’s no wonder that players want to be involved, for they can see the genesis of something really special.

If they can continue producing such quality, then surely promotion back up to the Premier League will just be a formality.

One player was a shoo-in for a starting position not so long ago but now appears likely to be surplus to requirements, and former Leeds star turned pundit, Carlton Palmer, believes it’s time he should go.

“Leeds United are reported to be ready to listen to offers for goalkeeper Illan Meslier in January,” he said to Football League World.

“Leeds were surprised that he didn’t move in the summer transfer window, though they were quite relaxed as they had already signed his replacement, Karl Darlow.

“Karl signed from Newcastle in the belief that he would be their No. 1 goalkeeper. Leeds would be looking for a fee of £15-20million for the goalkeeper, where they can invest in other areas where Daniel Farke believes they’d need more.

“It’s a right call at this junction, as they’d already put measures in place and it further reduces the wage bill in accordance with what they’d like in the Championship.”

Given the apparent loss of confidence that affected the young custodian during the 2022/23 season, and which arguably saw to it that the club would bring in Darlow as his replacement, a move away is best for all parties.

It allows Meslier to rebuild his career elsewhere and, perhaps, show Leeds how wrong they’ll be in letting him go.

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Leeds player is glad he didn’t leave the club this summer amid mass exodus

Jason Pettigrove — Sat, 16 Sep 2023 12:32:02 +0000

The past summer has to go down as one of the most volatile in Leeds United’s history with new owners, a new manager and new players coming in.

A mass exodus was virtually forced upon the club thanks to relegation to the Championship, and the squad appeared to change on a weekly basis throughout the transfer window.

That pattern continued even once Daniel Farke had taken charge of first-team matters.

Only recently have things settled down, and the German now has three months in which to establish some sort of consistency to the first-team.

Currently in 15th position, Leeds are already nine points behind table-topping Leicester City, and Farke will want to see an upturn in results ahead of another transfer window in January.

One player that was expected to leave the club in the summer but didn’t is Illan Meslier, and the young goalkeeper has explained his reasons for staying at Elland Road.

“It was difficult to leave when the club is going down, because I feel guilty inside,” he said on the official Leed s United podcast.

“I played most of the games and the results weren’t good. It was not good for me to leave with the club in the second division. To go and play somewhere and see Leeds in the middle of the second division and think, ‘oh no’. For me, I had to stay and give my best to get Leeds in the top two places.”

Though Meslier has started most of the games this season for the Yorkshire-based club, summer signing Karl Darlow isn’t likely to be happy at being kept out of the first-team starting XI for too much longer.

Competition for places is the type of problem that managers profess to enjoying, but it’s one that Farke can deal with on another day.

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Farke ready to let main Leeds player leave in January

Jason Pettigrove — Fri, 15 Sep 2023 20:26:36 +0000

The summer transfer window was something of a nightmare for Daniel Farke and Leeds United, and it’s closure has to have come as a relief for the German and new owners, 49ers Enterprises.

For the next few months at least, it should allow the club to settle down both on and off the pitch, and give Farke the best possible opportunity to get the all whites straight back up to the Premier League.

They’re languishing in mid-table at present and certainly won’t want to be playing catch-up for too much longer.

By the opening of the January transfer window, the club should be in a much better position to understand exactly what they need in order to go all out during the second half of the 2023/24 campaign and make promotion a reality rather than a pipe dream.

One player that’s unlikely to be joining them on that journey is goalkeeper, Illan Meslier.

According to Football Insider, the club are completely happy about losing the player in January, despite him starting most matches this season, as they believe that in Karl Darlow, they have a ready-made replacement.

His position in the starting XI at present is arguably designed to put him in the shop window and encourage the bidders that didn’t come forward for his services in the summer to put their hand up this time.

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Pundit says Leeds new signing has already disappointed after only one month at the club

Mark Brus — Thu, 14 Sep 2023 12:13:56 +0000

Former Leeds United goalkeeper Paul Robinson has expressed an interesting view about recent signing Karl Darlow in his brief time at the club.

The ‘keeper joined Leeds from Newcastle United this summer, but Robinson feels it’s already been a disappointing period for him due to the slightly surprising fact that Illan Meslier is still at Elland Road.

“I think potentially Darlow will be disappointed, but he’ll bide his time,” Robinson told MOT Leeds News.

“He’s a very good experienced goalkeeper and played at the top level. Darlow’s very experienced in the Championship and being at a club like Leeds United isn’t a bad thing.

“It’s a huge football club and with the potential that Meslier’s got, whether it’s January or whether it’s the end of the season, I suspect that he will move on and then Karl will potentially come in as number one.

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“If that happens or if Leeds get promoted, you’re part of a Premier League squad again, whether you’re number one or sat on the bench, it’s not an ideal situation for him because he’s not playing.

“I suspect he came with the thought that he was going to play, but he’s not, it’s not worked out that way. But it’s not a bad situation for him.

“Listen, we saw Meslier have a huge dip in form and confidence towards the end of last season, so if he has three or four games like that, the manager can turn around knowing that he’s got a very good experienced quality goalkeeper on the bench that if needs be.”

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Bayern rival Chelsea with transfer interest in £25m-rated Leeds United star

Magnus Eriksen — Mon, 21 Aug 2023 11:59:04 +0000

Bayern Munich are reportedly interested in the potential transfer of Leeds United goalkeeper and Chelsea target Illan Meslier.

The Bavarian giants are short of cover in goal due to the long-term injury to Manuel Neuer, and Meslier could be a decent option for them.

According to Football Insider, Bayern now have an active interest in the French shot-stopper, while Chelsea have more of a background interest in the 23-year-old, who is valued at around £25million.

Bayern could do well to bring in Meslier as something of a stop-gap option, as he’s shown some potential in his time at Elland Road, even if he was part of the team that got relegated last season.

Illan Meslier to Chelsea or Bayern?

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Chelsea could also do well to consider making changes in goal after a poor start to the season, with just one point from a possible six so far in the Premier League, with four goals conceded in their first two games.

Robert Sanchez recently joined CFC from Brighton, but Kepa Arrizabalaga and Edouard Mendy have both left, so there’s probably room for someone like Meslier to come in.

However, it seems Bayern’s interest is stronger for now, with Chelsea looking at other priorities, according to the report.

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Leeds planning to sell £20m-£25m-rated first-team starter in this window

Jason Pettigrove — Sat, 19 Aug 2023 17:03:10 +0000

Despite having already played three games of their Championship season so far, things are far from settled for Leeds manager, Daniel Farke.

The German’s short tenure at the club appears to have been underscored by upheaval at every turn, including having Willy Gnonto effectively going on strike and handing in a written transfer request.

Other players have had to leave because of contract issues and/or financial decisions, and it’s seen the make up of the squad change significantly since the first days of pre-season.

One player is even likely to continue playing as a starter but only for the purpose of being put in the ‘shop window.’

That’s according to sources speaking to Football Insider regarding young goalkeeper, Illan Meslier.

Meslier has made 121 appearances for Leeds

It’s believed that the all whites will demand between £20m-£25m for his services, and that’s perhaps why there haven’t been any significant offers for the custodian at this stage.

Meslier’s form dipped towards the back end of the 2022/23 campaign as Leeds spiralled towards relegation. Prior to that point, there weren’t any question marks over the keeper.

News that the club are willing to sell him in the current window would suggest that Farke has lost confidence in Meslier’s ability.

With two weeks left of the window, there’s time to get a deal done but Leeds may have to revisit their sale price if they want to ensure he’s moved on.

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Long-serving Leeds United man has been offered to Man City

Jason Pettigrove — Fri, 18 Aug 2023 10:21:53 +0000

Things certainly aren’t getting any easier for Daniel Farke at Leeds United, as no sooner have rumours done the rounds that one player is leaving the club, than another pops up.

The German has already lost a number of players since he took over at the club, and as reliable journalist Fabrizio Romano has tweeted on Friday, Tyler Adams could be on his way to Bournemouth.

Tyler Adams to Bournemouth, here we go soon! Medical booked in London later today — after agreement reached with Leeds United ??? #AFCB

Deal to be finalised in the next 24h as Adams has accepted conditions of the agreement.

Contract signing scheduled after medical ?? pic.twitter.com/Si7d4ZrRxL

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 18, 2023

He’s unlikely to be the last departure from Elland Road, however, and it does beg the question as to what’s happening at the club given that things haven’t really settled down in terms of player sales.

With the 2023/24 Championship season having already started, Farke has to be able to get along with his work without any further distractions, but it appears that he could also be about to lost his goalkeeper.

? In the last hours, Illan Meslier has been offered to Manchester City. [@Plettigoal] #LUFC pic.twitter.com/9KlUICwn70

— LUFCMOT (@LUFCMOTcom) August 17, 2023

According to Sky Sports Germany’s Florian Plettenberg, via a tweet from LUFCMOTcom, Illan Meslier has apparently been offered to Man City.

This could be as a result of Bayern Munich looking to prise Stefan Ortega from the Citizens, and, given Meslier’s age (23), it wouldn’t be the worst career move in the world.

There isn’t an indication at this point as to whether Pep Guardiola would be interested in such a deal, but if the numbers add up and Meslier is willing, it’s a deal that could come off over the next couple of weeks.

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Daniel Farke confirms 23-year-old will start against Cardiff City

Andrew Walker — Sat, 05 Aug 2023 10:23:40 +0000

Leeds United manager Daniel Farke has confirmed that Illan Meslier will start against Cardiff City on Sunday afternoon.

Despite being heavily linked with a transfer away from Elland Road this summer, Meslier, yet to receive an offer from another club, is in line to continue as the Whites’ number one.

Interestingly, despite signing Karl Darlow from Newcastle United earlier in the window, Farke has admitted there are no guarantees the former Magpies’ keeper will replace Meslier.

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