Reliable journo: Leeds signing ‘took umbrage’ at former club, same issue at ER not a problem
Phil Hay has revealed that Leeds United signing Illan Meslier took umbrage at Lorient this summer when he was replaced as their number one goalkeeper.
The Frenchman arrived at Elland Road in the summer on a season-long loan after his parent club decided to place him on the bench, and he demanded to leave the club.
Meslier now has taken up a similar role under Marcelo Bielsa with Kiko Casilla ahead of him – something Hay has revealed isn’t causing an issue for the youngster.
Meslier had, in his opinion, believed to have shown enough to cement a spot as the main stopper at Lorient, and a place on the bench hit him hard.
“Meslier found bench duty hard to take at Lorient — so hard that he quit French football for England in August — but it is not a cause of disgruntlement at Leeds,” Hay wrote for the Athletic.
“He had, in his opinion, shown himself to be an adequate No 1 for Lorient and took umbrage when they replaced him with a new goalkeeper a few days before the start of this season. It was a point of principle which led to a quick breakdown in relations and a demand from Meslier for an immediate exit.”
With Casilla’s FA hearing over his racism charge having concluded, a ban could be on the horizon for the Spaniard – something that would hand Meslier the chance to cement a spot in goal in one of the biggest periods in Leeds’ recent history.
Meslier has a clear passion for the club, and a recent compilation of him celebrating goals on the bench could be seen as proof that he isn’t disgruntled on the bench at Elland Road.
He may have to wait for a chance though, with Leeds having the right to appeal any charge that could be coming, something that would most likely happen.
In other Leeds United news, Phil Hay suggests this one player is not hitting the high notes in training recently