‘Ridiculous’ – Leeds summer signing marked as ‘special talent’ when 14 & playing against 20y/os
There’s a fascinating article in The Times today about the ‘remarkable transformation’ of Illan Meslier at Leeds United.
Meslier joined from Lorient, initially on a season-long loan, before signing permanently in a £5m deal this summer.
The 20-year-old is now firmly established as the number one at Leeds after winning the gloves from Kiko Casilla and is a “fantastic” keeper according to MOT Leeds News columnist Paul Robinson.
One man who knows Meslier well is Alex Hayes, the former executive vice-president at Lorient.
And the youngster was marked down as a ‘special talent’, according to Hayes, when he was just 14.
“Illan was 14 or 15 when he was playing against 20-year-old men, which is completely ridiculous. There’s no cockiness, no arrogance. He just had an inner calm.
“It was that temperament that set him apart. At that point, we knew there was a special talent.”
Hayes went on to say, “Meslier was first really noticed when he was part of the youth cup team with Mattéo Guendouzi [who left Lorient for Arsenal in 2018].
“They got to the semi-final, I think, which was quite outrageous for a bunch of kids that were 16 playing against guys who were 18, 19 and 20.”
Major bargain
Meslier might still have work to do before he can challenge for the number one spot in the France team, but we’ve no doubt he’ll get there.
An excellent shot-stopper and brilliant with the ball at his feet, Meslier needs to work on crosses and set pieces to join the all-round elite.
That’s a weakness for the entire Leeds backline, though, and there were signs of a new-found confidence in his game against West Brom.
He might not have got everything right then but he was confident and decisive in the box.
The best thing about Meslier for us is his inner calm and maturity at just 20-years-old.
He’s had a lot of pressure on his shoulders – first in getting Leeds promoted and then playing in the Premier League, with his first match in the top-flight against Liverpool at Anfield.
He’s coped with it all well and we think he’s got a big, big future at Leeds. One thing is already certain – at £5m, he’s a major bargain.
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