Leeds loan star: 99% chance I will stay at Elland Road for next season
On-loan goalkeeper Ilan Meslier has confirmed that he is extremely likely to stay put at Leeds United for next season.
Meslier, 20, joined Leeds on a season-long loan from Lorient last summer with the Whites having the option to sign the French ‘keeper permanently once the temporary deal expires.
Marcelo Bielsa has handed Meslier 10 appearances in all competitions this season with the bulk of them coming since Kiko Casilla was hit with an eight-match ban for racism.
Meslier’s impressed in his time in the first-team and the loan star has now all but confirmed he’ll be at Elland Road again for the 2020/21 campaign in the Premier League.
“Logically, there is a 99% chance that I will stay in Leeds. Next year, you will see me in Leeds. I am very happy to stay there, it is an exceptional club,” Meslier told RMC Sport.
It remains to be seen what kind of role Meslier will have at Leeds next season with the Frenchman adding he has not been told if he will be first or second choice in the Premier League.
But one thing is for certain and that is that Casilla’s future at Elland Road is up in the air after his ban for racism earlier this year and the fact he has one year remaining on his contract.
Casilla’s form has been inconsistent and he has made way too many mistakes in the Championship to suggest he can step up to the Premier League.
At least Meslier is young and improving and has, on the whole, been more solid at the back than Casilla has when he’s played in goals.
However, if Casilla leaves Leeds then we expect Bielsa to bring in a new number one goalkeeper rather than promoting the inexperienced Meslier, who is still young and will still learn a lot serving as second-choice in the top-flight.
In other Leeds United news, Phil Hay has tipped the Whites to sign this Brentford star.