Two cost-effective ways Leeds United could replace 24-year-old underperforming claim – View

VaselineJuly 1, 2024

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Two cost-effective ways Leeds United could replace 24-year-old underperforming claim – View

Soccer Football – Championship – Queens Park Rangers v Leeds United – Loftus Road, London, UK – April 26, 2024 Leeds United’s Illan Meslier looks dejected after Queens Park Rangers’ Lucas Andersen scores the second goal. , VIDEOS, DATA, FIXED LISTS, CLUB/LEAGUE LOGOS OR “LIVE” SERVICES. ONLINE IN-MATCH USE LIMITED TO 45 IMAGES, NO VIDEO EMULATION. DO NOT USE IN SINGLE CLUB/LEAGUE/PLAYER BETTING, GAMES OR PUBLICATIONS.

Leeds United have reported interest in Roberto De Zerbi’s Marseille first-choice goalkeeper Illan Meslier this summer and is someone the club should consider selling.

Daniel Farke’s side fell short of promotion to the Premier League, narrowly missing out on automatic promotion and then losing the play-off final at Wembley.

Fine margins would sum up how they fell short, and in terms of improvement in that area, Illan Meslier in goal could be an avenue to explore, especially with a possible transfer route open to the Frenchman.

Roberto De Zerbi’s Marseille are interested in Illan Meslier

A report from the French press To the Commandery claimed this week that new Marseille manager Roberto De Zerbi has his eye on two goalkeepers to improve for next season.

One of those is Leeds’ Meslier, along with ex-Thorp Arch youngster Elia Caprile (now at Napoli), and could give the 49ers a solid route to clear water with PSR headaches.

Nothing in terms of formal approaches has been reported with Meslier and the Ligue 1 side, but Leeds should be receptive to offers for the ‘keeper who has performed significantly in saves compared to xG post-shot.

Meslier was 10th worst in the league in that category (sixth worst if you only count goalkeepers with 20+ of 90), allowing 3.1 more goals than would be expected based on shot quality that he faced all season.

Here, we look at how Leeds could cash in and make a cost-effective upgrade with another goalkeeper…

Carl Rushworth – Brighton

The number one option, who should absolutely be at the top of Leeds’ list if they need a new ‘first choice goalkeeper’, is West Yorkshire-born Carl Rushworth, on Brighton’s books.

Turning 23 on Tuesday, Rushworth is still in a relatively young age compared to most elite goalkeepers, but has shown his quality in the Championship with a loan spell at Swansea City, where he finished second in the division for the same aforementioned stat for Meslier – boasting a +5.5 post-shot goal differential xG.

What propels Rushworth to Premier League quality levels over other good shot-stoppers is his brilliance with the ball at his feet, something Leeds have struggled with at times through Meslier.

Brought into Brighton football form, it is no shock to see that he is excellent in his distribution and would add another level to Leeds’ formation.