Illan Meslier breaks silence with first message since Leeds axe
Illan Meslier dropped a message to supporters after Leeds officially secured promotion despite his reduced role in the team in recent weeks.
For the majority of the season, Meslier was Daniel Farke’s first-choice goalkeeper and had retained the trust of his manager, even after several high-profile errors earlier in the campaign.
That faith, however, wasn’t shared by all supporters as Leeds fans grew frustrated with Meslier, with some even calling for the club to move him on.
Farke eventually made the call to drop him, with Meslier left out of the starting line-up for the clash against Luton Town on 8 April. Since then, he’s been confined to the bench, watching on as Leeds secured their return to the Premier League after beating Stoke earlier in the week.
Despite losing his place, the 25-year-old still acknowledged the club’s success with a brief but meaningful message to fans following their promotion celebrations.
Karl Darlow earns fan backing as Illan Meslier faces uncertain future at Leeds
The goalkeeper hasn’t posted on Instagram since he was dropped earlier this month, but he shared a message with supporters on his story. He reposted an image that read: “WE ARE PREMIER LEAGUE” along with heart emojis in Leeds colours.
Meanwhile, since stepping out of the starting role, Karl Darlow stepped up instead of Meslier and has made the most of his opportunity.
The former Newcastle man has impressed in goal, with fans loudly celebrating his saves, particularly in the win over Preston on 12 April. In Meslier’s absence, Darlow has quickly become a fan favourite at Elland Road.
Meslier’s future now looks increasingly uncertain. Football Insider revealed that Leeds are open to offers for Meslier this summer as they explore bringing in a new first-choice goalkeeper ahead of their Premier League return.
| Season statistics | Illan Meslier |
| Appearances | 39 |
| Goals conceded | 28 |
| Clean sheets | 21 |
Leeds promotion may not guarantee Daniel Farke’s future
Meslier might not be the only one whose time at the club is coming to an end. Despite leading the club back to the top flight, Farke could still leave Leeds with concerns persisting over his record in the Premier League.
Reports suggest the club are considering a change in the dugout, with Jose Mourinho continuing to be linked with Leeds as the club may look at a high-profile manager instead.
It would seem a harsh decision given Farke’s impact, amassing close to 200 points across two Championship seasons and finally securing promotion, but for now, the focus remains on clinching the league title before any decisions are made.