100% duels won: Leeds journo hails £18m-rated monster who was 'cool under pressure' today

Illan Meslier has received praise in Jesse Marsch’s first game as Leeds manager from Graham Smyth, despite losing 1-0 away from home against Leicester City.

The Whites narrowly lost against the Foxes earlier this afternoon after Harvey Barnes’s impressive finish was enough to earn the home side all three points.

Meslier made several good saves across the 90 minutes and won 100% of his duels but couldn’t do enough to keep Barnes out after he finished well in the 67th minute.

Graham Smyth gave his praise towards the 22-year-old French keeper in his player rating article on the Yorkshire Evening Post.

“Ilan Meslier 7/10- Cool under pressure with the ball at his feet, made a couple of saves, got a fingertip to a great finish for the winner,” Smyth said about Meslier.

TIF Thoughts on Illan Meslier…

Meslier is a young goalkeeper who’s been first-choice at Elland Road for a couple of seasons now – he featured 35 times last season in the Premier League and has already featured in 26 league games so far this campaign.

Being a youthful shot-stopper in the Premier League can be hard, especially a keeper for a team near the bottom of the table. The Frenchman can take solace at someone like Arsenal goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale who’s also had to previously battle for sides trying to beat the drop.

He was in goal for a Bournemouth side that got relegated in the 2019/20 Premier League season and then got relegated the following season with Sheffield United.

He then joined the Gunners in the summer and has shone since, being one of their key players which has given him a huge shout at being England’s no.1.

Meslier’s performances should stand him in good stead even despite these recent defeats and lack of clean sheets.

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