Beren Cross delivers Illan Meslier-Karl Darlow update ahead of Leeds United v Cardiff City
Beren Cross has shared if Karl Darlow is expected to usurp Illan Meslier in the starting eleven for Leeds United v Cardiff after joining from Newcastle.
The LeedsLive reporter claimed [31 July] that despite the Frenchman struggling towards the back-end of last season, the spot between the sticks is now his to lose.
Darlow was signed to be the first choice but will have to bide his time and prove he deserves to play ahead of Meslier.
Cross wrote, “It would be remarkably ruthless for Farke to replace Illan Meslier with Karl Darlow on Sunday. Meslier has played in the last three consecutive friendlies and kept clean sheets in the last two, while Darlow has been here two minutes and had little time to settle in.
“Binning Meslier on the eve of the new season would surely destroy any confidence he has built since his wretched end to last term. The Frenchman is working on his patterns of play with the centre-backs and the smart money would now be on him starting the season as number one.
“That will not be news to Darlow, who knows the drill as a late pre-season arrival. Unless Meslier is sold before September 2, the former Newcastle United stopper will have to knuckle down and await his chance.
“In benching the former Forest goalkeeper, Farke has diffused the situation bubbling around the position and thrown down the gauntlet. The shirt is Meslier’s to lose and the hope is they will both spur one another on to better performances and better results for the Whites.”
Staying as backup?
Meslier has been linked to the exit door this summer and no clarity is expected to emerge over his future until the end of the window.
It also makes no sense to bin him as Darlow will not have trained with the team properly so is unaware of how they play yet.
He’s going to have to be part of more drills and perhaps even play with the under-21s to regain some kind of match sharpness.
This is ideal for Meslier to prove why he deserves to stay on at Elland Road and it remains to be seen whether or not he’s willing to be the backup for one season.
If Farke tells him that there’s a chance he could be the second choice, there’s a possibility the Frenchman asks for a move, even if it’s on loan, in order to get regular game time.
That’s currently ideal for his confidence and unless Leeds get an exceptionally good financial offer they should not consider selling him.
In other Leeds United news, an update has emerged on the club’s pursuit to sign two centre-backs this summer with a winger now on the radar as well.