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.
