'Why not?' - Illan Meslier on Leeds United regret, Whites drop, personal pride and future aim - YEP 13/6/23
Illan Meslier has opened up on his feelings about Leeds United’s relegation despite a huge sense of personal pride over an achievement between the sticks.
By Lee Sobot
Young Frenchman Meslier had been virtually ever-present as
United’s first-choice keeper since being handed a chance by Kiko Casilla’s ban
in February 2020 until being dropped by new boss Sam Allardyce for the final
four games of the 2022-23 campaign.
Allardyce took Meslier out of the team following a series of
errors, declaring that the 23-year-old custodian was low on confidence and
needed taking out of the firing line for his own good.
Meslier had earlier become the youngest goalkeeper in
Premier League history to reach the milestone of playing 100 games, something
the Frenchman admits was a rich source of pride. Yet the season ultimately
ended in Premier League relegation for Leeds which Meslier has now reflected on
in an interview with RMC Sport.
"We are bound to be disappointed,” said the France
under-21s keeper. "Going down to the Championship... there is a feeling of
regret, of disappointment. Unfortunately, it's the law of sport. Personally,
there are good things, not so good. We can't go back, but we necessarily think
about what happened because normally, we can't get into this kind of
situation.”
Pressed on the achievement of becoming the Premier League’s
youngest goalkeeping centurion, Meslier admitted: “It's a huge pride, it's a
great accomplishment, especially at that age. It's 100 games, we always want to
play more, 150, 200... why not more. I hope I can continue.”
