With goalkeeper Bailey Peacock-Farrell heading out of Elland Road over the summer, Leeds United moved quickly to bring in Illan Meslier from FC Lorient on a season long loan spell to provide cover between the sticks.
Initially, the deal for the 19-year-old stopper seemed a little bit strange on face value as it was a waste of a loan spot given the restrictions in play at Championship level, but it was later revealed that we did have a permanent buy clause on the player.
Most fans are yet to see him in action for the club with Spaniard Kiko Casilla being our No 1, but the Frenchman has been pretty impressive at Under 23 level for Carlos Corberan.
Speaking to outlet Le Telegramme earlier this week, Lorient manager Christophe Pelissier stated that he was “surprised and disappointed” by Meslier’s decision to head out on loan as opposed to playing back up at the club, and he implied the player had taken the easy way out instead of battling for his spot.
I believe these comments were in response to an earlier interview by Meslier himself where he stated that having played regularly last year for the Ligue 2 side, his career progress was served better by being No 2 at Leeds than it was Lorent – understandable really.
In any event, Meslier’s agent, Yvon Pouliquen, has come to the defence of his client as he also spoke to Le Telegramme recently, stating.
“Illan was warned 48 hours before the start of the championship that he would be No. 2 this season. He did not choose to find a way around the difficulty, but on the contrary to increase it, by choosing to respond favourably to Leeds and Marcelo Bielsa. He continues his progression alongside a very good goalkeeping coach and a Spanish goalkeeper…and do not forget that he still belongs to FC Lorient!”
Given how strange this seems, I can only presume our chances of signing him on a permanent basis (should we want him) next summer have simply increased.
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