Where Leeds United might have been without the heroics of Illan Meslier this season is difficult to comprehend. The Frenchman has been in superb form for Leeds United since the start of the campaign, making a series of pivotal saves that will undoubtedly go on to have a big say on the Whites’ Premier League fate.
His performance at Newcastle United on Saturday, in the pouring rain, was just the latest player of the match-worthy performance from the 22-year-old, keeping his third clean sheet of the campaign with a number of fine stops. Given the level of consistency in his performances, it’s probably fair to say Meslier's clean sheet record doesn't do him justice, but his importance to the team cannot be underestimated.
That was clear at St James’ Park as he dealt with Newcastle’s five shots on target with relative ease. Sure, the Magpies could and probably should have posed more questions of Meslier, with 11 efforts failing to hit the target but he dealt with everything that came his way, commanding his area well at set-pieces and directing those in front of him well.
