Meslier makes a statement
With the departure of Kalvin Phillips and Raphinha this summer, Leeds United’s squad is in transition and building for its next phase. Mateusz Klich, Stuart Dallas, Rodrigo, Luke Ayling, Liam Cooper and Adam Forshaw are all into their 30s.
They are not going to be around long enough to be the backbone of this squad over the coming years, so attention turns to that next crop behind them. Patrick Bamford, Robin Koch and Jack Harrison look well placed to spend their best years at Elland Road, but will they hit the same levels as Phillips and Raphinha?
Illan Meslier’s age and experience make him stand out across Europe. The France under-21 international has all the talent at his disposal to become one of the continent’s foremost goalkeepers.
READ MORE: Every word Jesse Marsch said on Meslier leadership, Davis's trial and Harrison's Leeds United future
If he continues on the path many expect, he is sure to become the next big talent Champions League contenders look to at Elland Road in the future. Of course, Leeds may well match the Frenchman's trajectory with European football of their own. Three saves like those we saw in the first half on Sunday are reminders of what United have at their disposal.
After a season in which only Norwich City conceded more, with errors like those at Arsenal fresh in the mind, it has been easy to forget the 22-year-old’s immense potential. Jesse Marsch’s job is to tease out that next development surge.
Marcos Abad takes care of the on-pitch goalkeeping work, but Marsch made a point of talking up his stopper’s leadership role after the game. “We know he's a big goalkeeper with massive potential,” he said.
“He continues to find his presence within the group. He's very likeable, but we also need them to be a real rock and a leader in the team.”
Meslier is well-liked in the dressing room. He has a dry sense of humour and makes many of his team-mates laugh, but Marsch clearly wants to move his status on in the group.
How close to the August 6 line-up?
Sunday’s team was a step closer to what we may eventually see on August 6 when Wolverhampton Wanderers roll into town. There are a few debates you might have in some roles, but a lot of what feels like favourites were starting in Brisbane.
Liam Cooper needs to show something against Crystal Palace and/or Cagliari to justify his start at Elland Road. He is the captain and he finished last season well, but Pascal Struijk is miles ahead of him in terms of match sharpness.
Left-back is so up in the air it feels like anyone could start there right now. Leif Davis was decent, but Marsch reiterated the size of the challenge on his hands post-match.
Marc Roca seems set in midfield, while Tyler Adams’s relationship with Marsch may well put him ahead of Adam Forshaw. Patrick Bamford, Brenden Aaronson and Jack Harrison look good bets for three of the four attacking roles.
Daniel James’s suspension opens the door. Rodrigo played on the right against Blackpool, but Luis Sinisterra has to be the favourite if he can prove some fitness in the final two friendlies.
Will Harrison even be here?
Anyone watching the LUTV feed from Brisbane will have done a double-take when Harrison answered the pitchside interviewer’s final question. Will you be sticking around, Jack? ‘We’ll see what happens.’
All of the chatter around interest in Harrison has never reached any kind of advanced stage. It has all been phrased as interest without any bids or talks with United. That’s kept a dampener on the story, which is why Harrison’s comments were so jarring.
The winger had at least opened the door on his exit being possible. The speed of his answer didn’t sit right. It was like he hadn’t heard the question properly and certainly wasn’t expecting it.
You can draw your own conclusions on the substance behind Harrison’s comments, but Marsch could only repeat his importance to the team and his plans for next season. Leeds are understood to have no interest in selling Harrison, but, of course, they cannot stop eye-watering bids being made.
Gray’s injury
The sight of 16-year-old Archie Gray being carried off on a stretcher with his leg in a brace had the ability to mar pre-season in its entirety. The teenager has been the story of the summer thus far and it was hard to watch as his momentum in the side was seemingly brought to a shuddering halt with one late tackle by John McGinn.
The subsequent assessments of the injury are far better than feared and there is real hope the youngster has only sprained his ankle rather than anything more serious. The strength of feeling evident on the touchline, in the stands and back home underlines the impression the youth has quickly made on everyone.
Davis’s trial
Everyone has been thinking it and Marsch couldn’t stop himself from agreeing. This tour is a clear trial for Leif Davis to prove he can be trusted to mind the shop at left-back until Junior Firpo is fit enough to return.
“Leif Davis has stepped in and even when I spoke to him, I said ‘I don't want to treat this like a trial, but the reality is, it is kind of a trial.’ The penalty is a little unfair.
“When your hands are in close by your body, I'm not sure those should be given as penalties. It's always a little bit of a grey area, but certainly, the first one is definitely not a penalty.
“In the end, it's good to see him playing against Premier League talent and, for the most part, he did okay today, but obviously the challenge for him is big because the level’s high.”
It’s a big challenge for Davis as Marsch says. There was nothing glaringly terrible or brilliant about his performance in Brisbane. Leo Hjelde did not do too badly from the bench either.
Much rests on the Crystal Palace and Cagliari friendlies. From the outside, it seems obvious United need to go to the market, but from the inside, there is still at least an openness to exploring what’s already in-house.
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