Javi Gracia has jumped to the defence of Illan Meslier following recent calls to see him removed from Leeds United’s starting XI. Meslier was criticised heavily following the club’s embarrassing defeats to Crystal Palace and Liverpool in which Leeds shipped a collective total of 11 goals.
He did himself few favours at Fulham on Saturday afternoon, either, having a say in both goals the Londoners scored against Leeds at Craven Cottage. The Frenchman was only able to push a Willian cross into the path of Harry Wilson for Fulham’s first before spilling a ball in the direction of Andreas Pereira a few minutes later.
The errors have led to pundits and fans alike to call for a change between the sticks with Joel Robles seen as the next cab off the rank in the goalkeeping pecking order. Gracia, though, has taken the opportunity to stand by Meslier in the build-up to Tuesday night’s clash with Leicester City.
The head coach insists he has been pleased with the way his number one has dealt with the criticism that has come his way, while he has also suggested the goalkeeper hasn’t been helped by the club’s defensive shortcomings of late.
“He reacts well, as usual,” Gracia said when asked about the young custodian in his pre-match press conference. “He always trains well, he has a very good character.
“Of course he is always trying to improve like the rest of the players and in this case it is no different. We are conceding a lot of goals in the last games and it is something we need to do better.
“In the last press conference we spoke about that as well, it is not only about the keeper, it is about the team. We need to defend better and I think if we defend better, the keeper always will be better as well. “
He added: “I back all my players.”
Meslier has been Leeds’ number one for the last three Premier League seasons and until recently he had been lauded for some of his performances in goal this season. However, he is still just 23-years-old and one of the youngest members of the Whites' first-team.
“I treat differently all my players because they are different,” Gracia said when asked if he needed to take his age into account.
“I speak in different moments on different days with all of them about different things. It’s my job and I have a good relationship with my players. When they need me I’ll always be there.”
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