Illan Meslier reveals why expected Leeds United exit did not happen amid ‘selfish’ verdict
Illan Meslier has revealed why he didn’t leave Leeds United in the summer as had been expected, explaining that he “didn’t want to be selfish”.
The Frenchman told Leeds Live (22 November) that “of course” he considered the option of departing after the Whites were relegated but credited manager Daniel Farke’s arrival as contributing to his decision to stay in Yorkshire.
He did however suggest that while he is prepared to “try everything” to get the club promoted back to the Premier League at the first time of asking he could still go at the end of the season if that push proves unsuccessful as “you never know what can happen”.
Meslier admitted the thought of leaving came up in the summer, saying: “Of course. You have to put everything on the table and think what can be good, what can be not good, but what was good was the reorganisation of the club and the manager who came in.
“Just me, as a keeper, wanted to play as much as I can. It wasn’t good for me to leave and maybe be on the bench somewhere or not sure to play.
“Leaving when the club is relegated is difficult, but I didn’t want to be selfish. Sometimes you have to be selfish, but it wasn’t myself to do this.
“So it’s just like, let’s see you do one season, try everything to be promoted and after you never know what can happen. I want to do everything I can to help Leeds to promote again because our place is in the Premier League.”
Rebound
Given how many players did decide to be selfish following relegation it has surely enhanced the reputations among the fans of those who stayed.
For now, Marc Roca perhaps excluded, it looks to have largely worked out better for the current Leeds United squad than those who escaped as soon as possible,
At the same time Meslier’s reputation was in relative tatters at the end of last season so it benefits him as much as the club for him to rehabilitate himself this season and push for a Premier League return.
Having been linked to the likes of Chelsea in recent years his options were no-doubt limited in the summer having been heavily criticised during a miserable season and then benched by Sam Allardyce, and he appears to confirm as much in referring to leaving to sit on the bench.
To his credit he has bounced back so far this season and if he continues to keep Karl Darlow out of the side and comes up with some more contributions to the team like his crucial last-gasp save in the win at Leicester City, then his exit options are sure to open up.
And if he is to eventually leave as has long been suspected then next summer would give the club a much greater chance of receiving the fee they will have long envisaged.
It was quite a likely a business decision as much as a magnanimous one to stay but one that both sides are now reaping the rewards of.
In other Leeds United news, the club are unhappy after being snubbed by sensation after rival visit.