George Overhill

Wed 14 June 2023 17:10, UK

Illan Meslier is a “contender” for Chelsea but the Leeds United keeper is some way down the list of targets, according to The Athletic.

According to Beren Cross of Leeds Live the Frenchman is “expected” to depart this summer, leaving a “clear need” for a new first-choice in goal, with Joel Robles yet to receive a new contract offer.

And Meslier himself is clearly aware of the Stamford Bridge links, having discussed the possibility of a move in an interview with RMC Sport on 11 June where he said going but not being a starter “does not interest me”.

But being Chelsea number one looks to be some way off for the 23-year-old, as although Kepa Arrizabalaga and Edouard Mendy are candidates to leave the London side Meslier appears to be as low as sixth-choice to replace either of them.

Inter and AC Milan opposite numbers Andre Onana and Mike Maignan, Brentford’s David Raya and Valencia’s Georgi Mamardashvili, as well as Brighton’s deposed starter Robert Sanchez are all mentioned ahead of the Leeds United star by The Athletic‘s Chelsea correspondents Liam Twomey and Simon Johnson.

Reserve choice

Meslier has been linked to the likes of Tottenham [TEAMtalk, 11 April] and Manchester United before [The Sun, 18 February], but they appear to be more focused on candidates such as Jordan Pickford [The Sun, 10 June] and Raya [Sky Sports, 12 June] currently.

A number of doors are clearly going to have to be shut in Chelsea’s face to get them to put a suitable offer on the table at Elland Road, so it raises the prospect of the long-awaited big-money move not arriving this summer in the expected form.

Whether Meslier eventually becomes a target for a club outside the elite, or even faces the prospect of staying at Elland Road, will only become clear over the coming weeks.

But after his confidence appeared shot behind a defence that provided little cover late in the relegation battle he lost his place, and while the reality is that various first-team players are expected to leave it tends not to endear them to supporters if they are publicly talking up exit options before they have actually materialised.

Transfers in and out should start to get answers once the new manager is finally appointed, and with Paraag Marathe set to join Angus Kinnear to conduct talks over the next week things are slowly falling into place.

But for a frustrated fanbase who has just seen their side careen out of the top flight in chaotic fashion it is unlikely that any of the key moves are progressing fast enough, and for now the club remains without a head coach and wantaway players are still in situ.

In other Leeds United news, part of the new 49ers ownership group has given his perspective on the hunt for the next manager.