Leeds United rub salt in Illan Meslier wounds with squad number decision
Leeds have now signed a new goalkeeper, and this could lead to the departure of Illan Meslier.
Meslier endured a disastrous end to last season as he was dropped for Karl Darlow after a string of errors saw his side suffer a dip in form.
Leeds signed Lucas Perri from Lyon to be their number one goalkeeper, and they are now prepping him for top-flight action.
Daniel Farke's side are facing AC Milan in a friendly, and with Meslier nowhere to be seen, there is a big indication that he is on his way out.
Perri wears number one shirt vs Milan
As the first-choice goalkeeper last season, Meslier wore the number one shirt in the Championship, but this has now been snatched from him.
Meslier is absent from the squad with no reason given, perhaps indicating that he is set to leave the club imminently, and he has now lost his shirt number, at least temporarily.
Perri has donned the number one kit to face the Italian giants in Dublin, and starting against Milan should help him prepare for his official debut against Everton next week.
| Ligue 1 | Statistics |
| Appearances | 33 |
| Saves (percentage) | 116 (72.5%) |
| Goals prevented | 6.05 |
| Clean sheets | 10 |
| Acted as sweeper | 12 |
| High claim | 26 |
Perri made 49 appearances for Lyon after excelling at Botafogo, and he will have a tough welcome to English football ahead of him.
The 27-year-old is one of several signings to arrive at Elland Road this summer, and it is hoped that they can keep Farke's side in the Premier League.
Farke faces tough start to season
Farke will hope that Perri and his other signings can adapt quickly, as Leeds have a tough welcome back to the top flight.
Leeds will host Everton at Elland Road, before travelling to face last season's runners-up Arsenal, and they will face another Champions League side in Newcastle.
There is a possibility that Leeds finish the first three games without a single win, and with a tough battle to survive ahead, they cannot afford to fall too far behind.
With Meslier now likely to depart, and Darlow ageing, all eggs have been put in the Perri basket, and there is pressure on him to deliver immediately as a goalkeeper heading into his prime years.
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