Daniel Farke confirms Illan Melier to start Leeds United v Cardiff City
Daniel Farke has confirmed that Illan Meslier is set to start for Leeds in their opening Championship game of the season against Cardiff.
The French goalkeeper had been expected to leave Elland Road this summer after the club’s relegation to the Championship, but so far no bids have arrived.
Leeds signed Karl Darlow from Newcastle in anticipation of his departure, but boss Farke has confirmed the 23-year-old is set to start the game barring any last-minute hitches.
“With the goalkeeper position, I’m quite pleased at the moment. But it’s clear that Illan [Meslier] will start the first game if he stays fit,” he said during his pre-match press conference (4 August).
Correct
There has been plenty of speculation this summer about most of the first-team players at Elland Road, but right now the players that are at the club and available have to play if they’re the best option.
The same goes for the likes of Wilfried Gnonto, Crysencio Summerville and now Meslier, who is without a doubt the better goalkeeper out of himself and Karl Darlow.
Darlow brings a wealth of experience, but Meslier is hardly inexperienced in this field and has played in both the Championship and Premier League previously.
He suffered a real loss of confidence at the back end of last season, but we have seen his true quality in the past and if he can recapture that form then there is a real case that he is the best goalkeeper in the division this season.
Whether he’ll be here after the transfer window closes remains unclear, but while he is here he should play and Darlow will have to push him hard to take his spot for now.
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