Illan Meslier mocked on talkSPORT after Leeds incident v Middlesbrough
Danny Mills was baffled by Illan Meslier as Leeds United beat Middlesbrough 3-1 at Elland Road on Tuesday night.
Meslier, 24, was criticised after he put the Whites under what Mills deemed to be unnecessary pressure by kicking the ball out for a corner.
The ex-Leeds defender believes there was enough time for the French goalkeeper to pick the ball up despite Boro’s Emmanuel Latte Lath chasing down a pass into the box by Finn Azaz.
“It’s in the area. You’re a goalkeeper, you’ve got gloves on – there’s a clue. You can use your hands,” said Mills on talkSPORT2 on Tuesday night (09:08pm, 10 December).
“Instead, you’re kicking out for a throw-in and inviting more pressure. Sometimes, I look at players’ decisions…”
Danny Mills baffled by Illan Meslier in Leeds v Middlesbrough
There have been plenty of times when Meslier has deserved criticism – but this isn’t one of them.
The former Lorient shot-stopper has been excused time and time again by fans and pundits due to his age and inexperience.
But even though he’s now 24 years old and has made over 200 professional appearances for both Leeds and Lorient, he’s still capable of the odd shocker.
However, on this occasion, all he did was think ‘safety first’ by kicking the ball into touch instead of going to ground to pick the ball up.
Meslier could have misjudged it and handled the ball out of the box, spilt the ball or conceded a penalty if he was a bit sloppy.
It was a lot easier for him to kick the ball out and not put himself under pressure.
It’s less dangerous for Leeds to be conceding a penalty than it would have been for him to try and pick the ball up there.
In other Leeds United news, this £30,000-a-week player looks finished at Elland Road – much to the relief of Paraag Marathe.
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