According to the latest reports from Goal France (as cited by GFFN), Leeds United are close to sealing a move for FC Lorient’s goalkeeper Illan Meslier on a season-long loan. The goalkeeper has completed his medical, and the deal will be made official today. It is reported that the agreement has an option to buy permanently.
Lorient are currently in the French second division. The Whites need a number two after Bailey Peacock-Farrell sealed a move to Premier League outfit Burnley this summer. Kiko Casilla is likely to continue as the first-choice goalkeeper and Meslier is likely being seen as a backup option.
The rise of Meslier
The goalkeeper has previously attracted interest from Chelsea and Monaco. Thus one can say that he has impressed some of the scouts of top football clubs. The 19-year-old is already a first-choice goalkeeper for his side and made 30 appearances for them in all competitions last season.
The previous season was a breakthrough one as he made his debut, but soon he established himself as the first choice as well. The young stopper stands in at 6 ft 6 inches, so he can be termed as a giant of a goalkeeper. Meslier has played for France at various youth levels, and he was part of the French squad in the recently concluded u-20 World Cup.
Good move from Leeds United?
The goalkeeping spot has been a dilemma area for quite some time now for the Whites. Kiko Casilla was brought in January with a lot of optimism, but the Spaniard failed to live up to expectations. His eccentric style of play definitely makes the fans and the club anxious. The goalkeeper made some costly errors in the latter half of the last season. Even in the first game against Bristol City, Casilla was sometimes too eager to come off his line.
Many might have wanted the Whites to bring in a replacement for Casilla, but we don’t see Meslier being a first choice option. He has just played one season at the top level, so the Frenchman is still vastly inexperienced. No one knows what kind of performance Casilla would come up with, but if he improves on his decision making, then the Whites should be good. As for Meslier, he looks like a promising second choice option.
Where might Meslier have the edge over Casilla?
Meslier is bigger than Casilla, and that might give the youngster an advantage in dealing with high balls. Set-piece is a big part of the Championship, and one needs a commanding goalkeeper and a stopper who can claim all the high balls safely. Casilla has fumbled on some high balls since he joined at Elland Road. However, the Spaniard’s on the ball qualities mean that he will continue as the first choice custodian for the time being.
