Loads of Leeds United fans have been reacting on social media, after FC Lorient loanee Illan Meslier shared his gratitude for the reception he received during his home debut against Huddersfield Town on Saturday.
Meslier had made two previous first-team appearances for United before facing the Terriers at Elland Road over the weekend, though earned his Whites debut away to Premier League Arsenal in the FA Cup before receiving his Championship bow in a 4-0 road win over Hull City.
Boss Marcelo Bielsa was forced into naming Meslier in the starting line-up against Hull and again on Saturday, after first-choice shot-stopper Kiko Casilla was issued an eight-game ban for racially abusing Jonathan Leko.
But Meslier has rarely put a foot wrong since the FA dropped their bombshell decision and in fact, the 20-year-old is yet to concede a single goal in the second-tier and has fans urging the club to activate our option to buy.
Director of Football Victor Orta was able to agree on a clause set at around £5million with his parent Ligue 2 outfit, which we can activate at the close of the campaign and keep the young ace in West Yorkshire.
Should Orta trigger our option to buy Meslier?
Absolutely
Not yet
Fans have been left mightily impressed by his performances since stepping into Casilla’s shoes at the 11th hour, with Meslier keeping clean sheets at Hull and against Huddersfield.
He also made two saves at home to the Terriers on Saturday, one of which came inside the Whites penalty area, per Sofa Score, while also completing 19 passes (86%) including four of seven attempted long balls.
Meslier received a very warm reception as he made his home debut on Saturday and took to social media after the game to offer his gratitude, noting: “Important win today for my debut home. Thank you to all the supporters”
Important win today for my debut home
Thank you to all the supporters 🤩 pic.twitter.com/0OvJB210YG— Illan Meslier 🧤 (@MeslierIllan) March 7, 2020
Here are some of the messages shared as fans reacted to Meslier’s post…
We just need to get you signed up https://t.co/RCwElmCojR
— @jdouglass👊lufc (@Douglass1John) March 8, 2020
Get in there Ilan, two clean sheets out of two! You caht get much better than that.
— Tony LUFC (@Tonylufc28) March 7, 2020
Superstar yet again… watch out Huge Lloris
— Jean Kevin Langoustine (@BatesyV3) March 7, 2020
Very assured today. Loved you getting the crowd going in the second half. Très bon.
— Ciara 💙💛 (@CiaraWarrington) March 7, 2020
Sign for us Ilan. You’re doing great !!
— Sabella68 (@sabella68) March 7, 2020
Keep up the clean sheets lad u doing great
— Stephen Maher 💙💛 (@stevemaher34) March 7, 2020
Doin brill. Hope your really enjoying it. 💙💛
— kathleen williams💙💛 ALAW. (@miffy0811_a) March 7, 2020
Well played lad. Feel so much more confident with you in net than Kiko
— Hendo (@HendoLJ) March 7, 2020
2 starts, 2 clean sheets pic.twitter.com/6YxJSNSjbd
— FocusOnLeeds (@FocusOnLeeds) March 7, 2020
In other Leeds United news, a prominent pundit has suggested a key Whites man is not ready to take the next step in his career.