When Leeds United announced the capture of young Lorient goalkeeper Illan Meslier, plenty of fans struggled to get their heads around the deal.
Okay, we needed to replace Bailey Peacock-Farrell who departed for Burnley’s bench, but the 19-year-old Frenchman hardly boasted decent game time to his name in his short career and plenty thought we would simply lean on Kamil Miazek if needed, given he was at least, one of our own.
In Monday afternoon’s Under 23 opener with Millwall, fans got their first proper chance to look over him and it’s fair to say he didn’t disappoint. Leeds won the game 3-2, but Meslier was incredibly unlucky when it came to them scoring the opener as it came via the penalty spot.
75' Millwall pull one back from the penalty spot. Illan Meslier saves the initial strike, but can't stop the follow up. 2-1 pic.twitter.com/uDkWxtqlkD
— Leeds United (@LUFC) August 19, 2019
It was a cracking full stretch first save and he was simply unlucky with the rebound and fans were happy to lavish praise on him for his efforts. With fans initially not believing we had a buy clause on the deal, Lorient themselves confirmed that we did, and the deal now makes a lot more sense.
you can definitely see why city were purportedly interested in signing meslier, great with his feet and solid in goal, beaten only by a rebound and a lapse in marking.
— ???? (@ellandread) August 19, 2019
Meslier looks pretty tidy
— IsThatConfirmed (@IsThatConfirmed) August 19, 2019
Really unlucky Meslier great penalty save
— Senior VAR Representative (@backagain31) August 19, 2019
Looks decent,agile
— Adam Barlow (@AdamPaulBarlow) August 19, 2019
Alioski played first half and did well, Stevens did well but Illan Meslier I think is going to be a huge star and a great keeper. Dominant, brave, fantastic distribution, great shot stopping and saved a penalty at full stretch but rebound off the post back to a striker to slot
— Doc Esq…. (@333doc1) August 19, 2019
Cracking initial save.
— HungryDuck ???????????????????????????????????????????? (@LUFCPATRIOT69) August 19, 2019
Shame as was a cracking save
— kathleen williams???????? (@miffy0811_a) August 19, 2019
Right save that tho in all fairness
— bensharp1846 (@bensharp1846) August 19, 2019
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