Illan Meslier has publicly stated his ambition to succeed France's record appearance holder Hugo Lloris between the sticks.
The Leeds United goalkeeper is still awaiting his international bow, but looks destined for a future at international level after establishing himself as one of the most promising young goalkeepers in Europe.
Meslier has already racked up 113 appearances for Leeds since his arrival at Elland Road in 2019 and has amassed 11 caps for France under-21s.
READ MORE: Leeds United next manager search LIVE updates
Lloris announced his international retirement following the 2022 World Cup, and veteran Steve Mandanda has dropped out of the running by announcing his own retirement for Les Bleus.
Nevertheless, France have a clutch of top goalkeepers vying for the No. 1 spot, and LeedsLive has taken a closer look at Meslier's competitors.
Mike Maignan
Maignan appears to be the likeliest candidate to succeed Lloris. The AC Milan goalkeeper started three of France's six UEFA Nations League fixtures, and only missed the World Cup due to a calf injury.
The 27-year-old won Ligue 1 with Lille in 2021, and marked his debut season at the San Siro by collecting the Serie A title.
He has five caps for Les Bleus in total and also represented his national team at every age group from under-16 onwards.
Alban Lafont
Lafont is still awaiting his international debut but has kept the second-joint most clean sheets in Ligue 1 (nine) behind only Paris Saint-Germain stopper Gianluigi Donnarumma.
Meslier spent two years as understudy to Lafont in the under-21s, with the Nantes goalkeeper racking up 36 caps for his country at youth level.
The 24-year-old impressed during his three seasons at Toulouse, before spending a season in Italy as Fiorentina's first-choice goalkeeper.
He has been undisputed number one throughout his five seasons at Nantes, and has helped guide them into the UEFA Europa League play-off round this term.
Alphonse Areola
Areola may only be back-up to Lukasz Fabianski at West Ham, but the former Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain goalkeeper has featured in every France squad since November 2021.
He replaced the injured Maignan in a 2-0 win over Austria in September, and made his first international start in three years in a 2-0 defeat at Denmark during the same international break.
The 29-year-old has appeared just twice for the Hammers in the Premier League this term, but has played every game during their UEFA Europa Conference League campaign.
Benjamin Lecomte
Lecomte has an outside chance of propelling himself into contention after marking his return to France in style.
The 31-year-old had been a regular in Ligue 1 at the likes of Lorient, Montpellier and Monaco, before suffering from a lack of game time during his loan spells at Atletico Madrid and Espanyol respectively.
The former France under-20 goalkeeper returned to Montpellier from Espanyol in January and has flourished on his homecoming.
He kept a clean sheet on debut as Montpellier won 2-0 at AJ Auxerre, and saved two penalties in a 3-1 defeat against league leaders Paris Saint-Germain.
Lucas Chevalier
Chevalier remains one for the future for France but the early signs are very promising for the Lille goalkeeper.
He gained experience in the fifth-tier with Lille B, before racking up senior game time on loan at Ligue 2 outfit Valenciennes.
The 21-year-old started the season as second-choice goalkeeper but has firmly established himself between the sticks since his Ligue 1 debut in September.
Chevalier has conceded just 14 goals in 17 league appearances for Lille and has registered seven clean sheets in the process.
He also looks poised to succeed Meslier as the first-choice goalkeeper for France under-21s, and made his debut in a 1-1 draw against Norway in November.
READ NEXT:
Rasmus Kristensen insists Leeds United belief still there after 'difficult' Everton defeat
Pressure dialled up on Leeds United as supporters point the finger at Goodison Park
Leeds United misery at Everton compounded by relegation battle's latest twists
Leeds United supporters give bleak verdict after Everton defeat sees them slip into drop zone
Leeds United player ratings with Meslier, Harrison and Bamford poor in dire Everton loss
