By Danny Mills

8th Sep, 2020 | 7:30pm

Exclusive: Pundit Wowed by Leeds 20-yr-old he likens to Man United sensation

Leeds United youngster Illan Meslier has all the attributes to be a Premier League sensation despite his slight frame, according to Danny Mills.

Speaking exclusively to Football Insider correspondent Dylan Childs, the former Leeds man likened Meslier to Manchester United goalkeeper David De Gea when he first came to the Premier League.

The 20-year-old converted his loan move into a permanent £5m transfer in July after taking the Leeds number one shirt from Kiko Casilla at the back end of last season.

Casilla, 33, lost his place in the side after receiving an eight-match racism ban and failed to win it back when it ended.

Football Insider revealed last month that Leeds have told Casilla that he will be the number two goalkeeper if he stays at the club for the forthcoming season.

Asked by Football Insider who he believes should start in goal against Liverpool, Mills said: “I think you go Meslier still. He obviously did very, very well at the end of last season.

“You don’t really need to be a huge physical preference anymore you need to be a good shot stopper, you need to have good distribution and I think he’s got those.

“People said when David de Gea first came into the Premier League many years ago he was maybe a little bit slight but the game was more physical, people put more crosses into the box, all those types of things.

“They don’t do that now so as things stand at the moment I think Meslier has a fantastic chance of starting.”

Meslier kept seven clean sheets in 10 Championship games for Leeds last season as the Whites lifted the title.

He spent last season on loan from French side Lorient who he played for twice in the French League Cup.

In other Leeds United news, Noel Whelan says he has “massive hopes” for the club’s latest teenage signing.