According to the club’s official podcast, Leeds United goalkeeper Illan Meslier revealed he stayed at Elland Road this season because he ‘felt bad’ about their relegation from the Premier League.
Throughout the summer window, the 23-year-old was connected with a move away from the Yorkshire club, with Premier League giants Manchester City and Manchester United, as well as Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich, listed as prospective suitors.
Leeds were reported to have accounted for his departure, which was backed up by the signing of Karl Darlow from Newcastle United, and the 32-year-old joined with the expectation of becoming the club’s first choice shotstopper this season.
Despite the uncertainty surrounding his future, Meslier started all of the Whites’ league games before the transfer window closed. Manager Daniel Farke was said to want to get the best out of his goalkeeper before he left. However, the transfer deadline passed without the Frenchman leaving the club.
Throughout the summer, there were varying rumours that the former Lorient man was keen to leave Elland Road, but these accusations have been refuted by Meslier himself. He told The Leeds Press on the Leeds United official podcast:
“It was difficult to leave when the club was closing because I felt guilty on the inside.” I played the majority of the games, and the outcomes were dismal. It was not in my best interests to quit a club in the second tier.
“To go somewhere and see Leeds in the middle of the second division and think, ‘oh no,'” he says. For me, I needed to stay and do my best to keep Leeds in the top two.”
Leeds have had a difficult start to life in the Championship, winning only one of their first five games. However, with the uncertainty around numerous members of the playing group removed, as well as the completion of transfer business, Farke is hoping that his club can now hit a run of form, beginning on Sunday when they travel to London to face Millwall.
Author’s Opinion
Whether Meslier is telling the truth or not is debatable, but there is probably substance to the repeated links to some of Europe’s elite teams. This could have been agent speak when attempting to secure a move for his client, albeit it is understood that Manchester City turned down the option to sign him.
There is little doubt that he is one of the greatest goalkeepers in the division, and Leeds will struggle to maintain him if they do not achieve promotion this season. He will still have two years left on his contract at the conclusion of the season, which means Leeds will be able to fetch a big amount if he leaves, but Premier League football is the goal, and Meslier should stay if that goal is accomplished.
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