Harri Burton

Wed 27 December 2023 18:40, UK

Leeds United goalkeeper Illan Meslier was inexplicably sent off against Preston North End on Tuesday 26 December after shoving Milutin Osmajic in the face.

The veteran Karl Darlow was brought on by Daniel Farke after the incident, who has been the substitute goalkeeper of choice, with the club’s third goalkeeper Kristoffer Klaesson nowhere to be seen.

The Norwegian was one of Marcelo Bielsa’s final signings for the Whites, signing on a four-year deal in July 2021 for an undisclosed fee, as per Sky Sports. However, he has made just two appearances in Leeds colours.

The shot-stopper was scouted from Valengra in the top flight of Norwegian football, where he made 56 appearances.

Now, at the age of 23, it is make-or-break for Klaesson following Meslier’s suspension against Preston. If Farke prefers to start Darlow once again, it is abundantly clear that the youngster has no future at Elland Road.

Klaesson has only been involved in two matchday squads this season, making the bench against Birmingham City and West Brom in consecutive games in August. However, he has not been seen since.

His appearance was far more evident under Jesse Marsch in the Premier League last season but was still unable to get onto the pitch, with Meslier dominating between the sticks.

To see him in first-team action, you would have to travel back to Wolves versus Leeds in March 2022 when he was brought on to replace Meslier due to the Frenchman being injured.

His only-ever start for the club came in a Europa League Conference Qualifier in July 2021 as Leeds faced KAA Gent in a 4-0 loss – not a great first impression at a new club.

It has been a horror story for Klaesson at Elland Road, and if he continues to be looked over amid Farke’s goalkeeping chaos, there is zero chance that he will continue his footballing journey in Yorkshire.

In other Leeds United news, a Sky Sports pundit hit out at a “naughty” Preston player after something that happened in the Boxing Day clash.