Daniel Farke handed potential Leeds United headache amid new Illan Meslier development
Leeds United goalkeeper Illan Meslier could be set to remain at Elland Road handing Daniel Farke a potential selection headache ahead of the new season.
Journalist Graham Smyth reported on 26 July that the German coach is a fan of the Frenchman, who looked like leaving the club this summer and is yet to receive any offers to prize him away from Elland Road.
With Newcastle goalkeeper, Karl Darlow set to arrive in the coming days [Seb Ecrivain Foot 27 July], Meslier’s situation has further intrigue as there will be a battle for the number one spot at Elland Road, with both ‘keepers keen on that starting spot for the new season.
Speaking to the Inside Elland Road podcast, Smyth shared: “You’ve got an interesting situation because you’ve got Meslier who we all thought ‘he’s gone’ this summer, but nobody has come in with an offer to change the situation.
“Farke likes him from what I’m told, so you could have a situation where it’s Meslier versus Darlow, or the final month of the transfer window will decide that actually, it [the starting goalkeeper] is Darlow.
“I don’t know who my money would be on [starting]. Meslier’s confidence had gone towards the end of last season, but I don’t believe it would take long for him to get his confidence back.”
As soon as the season finished, it certainly looked all set that Meslier would leave Elland Road with a number of top clubs in the country interested in his services, but that whole outlook has changed a few months on.
The young Frenchman hasn’t received offers for his signature which means a stay in West Yorkshire was always likely and this new Elland Road development certainly adds some intrigue to Farke’s squad with Meslier now set to face a tough fight for his spot with Darlow close to completing his move from Newcastle.
The Whites have lost a whole host of players already, and losing Meslier certainly will have proven damaging given his raft potential and quality, but he did struggle considerably towards the end of the last campaign, losing his place under Sam Allardyce’s tutelage.
However, with Darlow now set to be walking through the doors, Farke will now have two quality and very capable goalkeepers between the sticks.
And Meslier could well be given a kick of the backside as Darlow certainly possesses as much character and quality as the Frenchman to become an instant starter.
Darlow will have been given assurances by Leeds as to his position in the squad and will expect to be the club’s starting goalkeeper, which would have played a large part in the decision to join Leeds in the Championship rather than pursue a move to Premier League Bournemouth.
Ultimately, strong competition for places is no bad thing and Farke will certainly be licking his lips at his current goalkeeping options right now. Given the quality Leeds United have already lost, this new development certainly provides a welcome boost but a potential headache for the former Norwich City boss.
In other Leeds news, one club manager has spoken out regarding the Whites’ interest in a Brazilian playmaker.