Credit: Imago

Harri Burton

Fri 4 April 2025 12:39, UK

Illan Meslier may now have already played his final game in Leeds United colours after Daniel Farke’s recent decision on the struggling goalkeeper.

Just a few weeks ago, the Whites were coasting towards automatic promotion back to the Premier League, with Sheffield United and Burnley trying to catch up.

Now, Chris Wilder’s side have stolen Leeds’ spot at the top of the Championship table, with the Clarets also level on points, and Meslier has become the villain at Elland Road.

While FotMob suggest that the Frenchman has only made three errors leading the goals this season, many supporters are adamant that their team would be miles ahead had Karl Darlow been the first-choice before now.

Daniel Farke at risk of Leeds United sack in quest for promotion

The joys of experiencing an easy Championship campaign have quickly turned to fear of missing out on promotion, with Farke under serious pressure to take Leeds back to the Premier League.

While it seems harsh to pin the blame on just one player, his mistakes against QPR, Hull City and Sunderland, albeit much earlier in the season, are easy to point to at this point in time, before two against Swansea City saw Meslier accused of having sold Leeds “up the river” by Paul Merson.

Without those blunders, the Whites would likely be at least five points clear at the top of the table, but with the team sinking down to second, the 49ers Enterprises will feel pressure to part ways with Farke.

The manager, however, looks to have finally seen the light, confirming that Darlow will start between the sticks when Leeds travel down to Kenilworth Road to face Luton Town on Saturday, 5 April.

Illan Meslier still gaining interest despite Leeds United clangers

At 25 years of age, there are no doubts over the goalkeeper’s abilities, with Man United one of the teams reportedly interested in his signature during the winter transfer window [Alan Nixon].

Should Leeds miss out on promotion this season, it is not impossible to see teams clamouring to sign him, with his confidence seen to be the main issue, but many will argue that he cannot play in the Premier League.

Therefore, if Farke does manage to bring some form back to Elland Road and secure promotion back to the top tier of English football, one of the priority signings this summer must be a new shot-stopper as the German will know he can’t rely on his former number one.

And should the unthinkable happen and the Whites miss out on a return to the top flight once again it is hard to imagine Farke’s successor being confident to pin their own promotion plan on the French keeper.

Either way, it seems unlikely that Meslier will play for Leeds ever again, especially if Darlow can take his opportunity by the scruff of the neck and keep his spot in the starting lineup for the duration of the run in.

The Welshman has only started one single league match so far this season, but with the 34-year-old a trusted figure by Wales coach Craig Bellamy, Farke would be foolish to put Meslier back in before the season’s end.