While the news clippings around Kalvin Phillips and Raphinha increase through the international break’s quiet news cycle, the other big-ticket item in the Leeds United armoury is recovering. Illan Meslier is in France and the longer the wait goes on for any announcement, the clearer it seems the goalkeeper is backing himself to play for the under-21s this fortnight.
Whatever happens with his national team, Meslier will hopefully be fit enough to retain his starting spot for United’s clash with Southampton next weekend and continue his 100 per cent attendance record in the Premier League this season. That exposure at the highest level for a 22-year-old stopper is what puts him towards the top of most shopping lists when Europe’s biggest clubs begin to assess the next crop of elite goalkeepers.
While Raphinha and Phillips are further along in their football journeys and look good enough for that next step, this season’s statistics suggest Meslier may need a little more maturing. Goalkeepers do not tend to peak until they are in their 30s. Meslier has a lot of time on his side.
READ MORE: Leeds United's training ground bounce summed up by stellar XI v XI prospects
While the team has looked remarkably open at times this season, with the biggest shipment of goals conceded across the division, the statistics would suggest Meslier should have actually saved more than he has done. There has been sympathy at points for what the French stopper has had to face when his defence has opened like the Red Sea, but the numbers suggest he should have prevented more goals than he has done.
According to StatsBomb via FBref.com, Meslier has conceded 8.8 goals more this season than expected, based on the quality and location of the efforts he has faced this term. Of goalkeepers who have played regularly this season, that’s the worst in the division.
The next worst is Emiliano Martinez at Aston Villa with 5.2 more goals conceded than expected. While David de Gea has prevented 10.6 goals he was expected to concede and Jose Sa prevented 9.9 goals he was expected to let in.
Numbers never tell the whole story and Meslier has made some spectacular stops this term, but it may just be the kind of statistic that keeps the scouts' attentions away from Leeds and their French gem for a year or two more, as he flourishes at Elland Road. The youngster retains the confidence of the crowd, his teammates and his value is only going in one right direction the longer he stays.
