Summerville, Ayling react to Illan Meslier as Leeds United exit looms
Illan Meslier’s recent update on social media gained the interest of past and present Leeds United stars amid rumours over the goalkeeper’s future.
The shot-stopper experienced a very mixed 2024/25 campaign because, despite winning promotion back to the Premier League with the Whites, the Frenchman was dropped after several goal-costing errors.
Karl Darlow was brought in by Daniel Farke during the most important period of the Championship campaign, and it remains to be seen what the manager will do next season in the top tier.
Mainz’s Robin Zentner is of interest to Leeds this summer, with any goalkeeper signing likely to be viewed as an upgrade ahead of the step up next term, which will be bad news for Meslier.
Meslier has made over 200 appearances for the Whites, dedicating the last six years of his career to the club, but his errors in between the sticks leave the manager with a very difficult decision to make.
Illan Meslier readying for new season at Elland Road
Taking to Instagram (16 July), Meslier shared a series of images of the shot-stopper being put through his paces alongside his teammates, simply captioned with football and goalie glove emojis.
Former teammates Crysencio Summerville and Luke Ayling liked the post, as did Willy Gnonto, Ethan Ampadu, Joe Rodon, Pascal Struijk, Harry Gray, and Ao Tanaka.
Daniel Farke to make cut-throat decisions at Leeds United
Football Insider verdict
The German will be in no mood for a repeat of his previous experiences in the top tier of English football, having only ever won six of his 49 matches managing in the Premier League with Norwich City.
Supporters were concerned with that exact stat after the Whites secured promotion out of the Championship, with a number of experienced managers linked, but he remains in charge.
Gabriel Gudmundsson, Sebastiaan Bornauw, Jaka Bijol, and Lukas Nmecha have all been added to the squad, though Junior Firpo will be a huge miss as he closes in on a return to Real Betis.
Football Insider understands that Leeds are also working to sign a 20-goals-per-season striker for the Premier League, which would be a huge boost for the squad this summer.
With Summerville and Georginio Rutter gone, Farke’s side were forced to adapt last season, attacking in a much different manner, with only three players getting above 20 goal contributions.
In addition to Dan James and Joel Piroe, Manor Solomon was a key figure for the Championship winners, but having now returned to Tottenham, he has left a huge gap in the squad.