Leeds United must shake off 23-year-old problem and continue to cash in on EFL star 23/24 – See

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 LOGS 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 will need to balance the book with sales while being adept at how they replace key first team players.

Daniel Farke managed a 90-point season in 23/24 but it wasn’t enough to see the Whites back into the Premier League and the task ahead next term is an intriguing one.

He will have to manage without two or three key players who will inevitably be sold and being smart about the players he cashes in on is crucial.

Leeds must consider selling Illan Meslier

As for the PSR issues for the 49ers to navigate, the club will have to carefully decide who is best to cash in based on their value.

Goalkeeper Illan Meslier is someone who could yet command an eight-figure fee that represents a major windfall from his £5m deal in the summer of 2020.

His form this season has improved from the 22/23 relegation campaign, but will still cause concern for Farke in a number of areas, be it his area control, shot-stopping consistency or questionable distribution.

With Leeds’ fee expected to be in excess of £10m, we look at the goalkeeper Leeds could replace Meslier with and make a profit…

Could Leeds United look at Brighton’s Carl Rushworth?

Brighton’s 22-year-old goalkeeper Carl Rushworth is certainly worth considering for Leeds following an impressive loan spell with Swansea City in 23/24.

He leaves Swansea with one more year of experience in the EFL and has proven to be more than good enough in more ways than one.

Given his links with Swansea and Brighton, it is clear that he is a goalkeeper seen as extremely capable with the ball at his feet as well as effective at stopping shots.

He ranked second in the league for “post-shot xG minus goals allowed” – essentially pointing out that he saves far more shots than he would be expected to when the ball leaves the striker’s foot, with a difference of 8.6xG towards Meslier.

The fact that he is also from Halifax could suggest that he may be keen to return to West Yorkshire in the future, despite being a Manchester United fan at heart.

A permanent deal could be difficult from Brighton given their desire to shell out significant money for each player, but with Bart Verbruggen there at a younger year, it is likely that Rushworth needs to leave to get regular opportunities.