Leeds United's Illan Meslier stance revealed after Sunderland error | OneFootball

Illan Meslier's high profile error led to Leeds United drawing 2-2 with Sunderland on Friday night

Leeds United are reportedly set to stick with Illian Meslier following his costly mistake against Sunderland last Friday night.

According to Football Insider, the Whites have no intention of taking him out of the side after his major error.

Meslier’s blunder came in the final moments of their trip to face the Black Cats and saw him fail to catch a tame, goal-bound shot that led to the game finishing 2-2.

Daniel Farke’s side were set to earn a big 2-1 away win against the league leaders, which would’ve put them level with the Wearside outfit.

Instead, the mistake has ensured Leeds drew their last two games going into the October international break.

Leeds United’s Illian Meslier stance

The future of Meslier has been under question ever since Leeds’ relegation to the Premier League in 2023.

The Frenchman is a high-profile figure at Elland Road and has been their number one keeper since February 2020, having initially joined the club on loan from Lorient before signing on a permanent basis that summer.

It was reported by The Athletic in September 2023 that the club even expected the shot-stopper to leave the club following their relegation to the Championship.

But he has remained a key part of Farke’s first team plans in the second division, with the side narrowly missing out on promotion last season.

His current competition for game time at the minute is Karl Darlow, but there are reportedly no plans to bring him into the team off the back of Meslier’s mistake last weekend.

While the mistake did prove costly, it is believed that the Whites see it as a freak error rather than something to be concerned about long-term.

Meslier has conceded seven goals from his nine league appearances so far this season, keeping five clean sheets (all stats from Fbref).

Meslier’s importance to Leeds

Meslier was a part of Marcelo Bielsa’s side when the club gained promotion back to the top flight in 2020, ending a 16-year stint in the EFL.

He kept seven clean sheets from 10 appearances that season, as the Yorkshire outfit won the Championship title.

The 24-year-old has gone on to feature 107 times in the Premier League for the Whites, as well as another 53 regular league appearances in the Championship.

Next up for Leeds will be a home clash against Sheffield United on 18 October.

One mistake shouldn’t count against Meslier too much

Meslier has made a strong start to the season, setting aside the one major error against Sunderland.

Farke has every reason to stick with him for the time being, and he is one of the top goalkeepers in the division.

His record at Leeds is impressive, even if he does have the odd mistake in him, and he will be a crucial part of their promotion push this year.

While Darlow is an experienced shot-stopper in his own right, he lacks the quality that Meslier has at his best, and it would be a very strong knee-jerk reaction to make a change immediately after the Sunderland draw.