Daniel Farke to make Illan Meslier decision at Leeds United after incident v Sunderland
Beren Cross has suggested that Daniel Farke will not drop Illan Meslier from the Leeds United starting XI after the international break.
The Frenchman has come under pressure from supporters following the Whites’ 2-2 draw with Sunderland at the Stadium of Light after he failed to catch a Junior Firpo deflection to gift the home side a late equaliser.
While some have suggested that Farke could start Karl Darlow because of Meslier’s costly mistake, Leeds Live journalist Cross believes that the German will stand by his number one after the international break.
Speaking on The Square Ball YouTube channel (7 October, 13:30) he said: “We’re not at the point of dropping him yet, he will stay in the team.
“Farke in August told us in a presser that he was the best keeper in the league. If Farke suddenly changes his mind on that, he almost looks a bit weaker.”
What has happened to Leeds United keeper Illan Meslier at Elland Road?
Meslier has rightly been in the spotlight in the wake of the draw with Sunderland. That sort of error simply cannot be explained and as a keeper, those sorts of mistakes always get punished.
No one will be more disappointed with that moment than the Leeds United number one. While some pointed to his reaction after the full-time whistle, the Frenchman will have known that he cost his side two points in the North East.
But taking him out of the starting XI for the clash with Sheffield United after the international break is unlikely to do him, or the Whites’ promotion hopes much good.
At his best, Meslier is still one of the best shot-stoppers in the division. He is capable of massive errors as he showed against Sunderland, but he is also capable of pulling off saves that Darlow could only dream of making.
The Leeds number one deserves another chance between the posts, but if he makes a similar error after the international break, he could well leave Farke with no choice but to drop him.
In other Leeds United news, Eintracht Frankfurt have made a new transfer decision around Whites loanee Rasmus Kristensen
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