Leeds keeper Meslier reveals why he rejected Chelsea in 2018 - Football 365 6/8/21

Leeds keeper Illan Meslier has revealed that he rejected the chance to join Chelsea in the 2018 summer transfer window.

The Frenchman enjoyed a great campaign in 2020/21, keeping 11 clean sheets in 35 Premier League appearances.

He pulled off some stunning saves throughout the season to help Leeds finish ninth on their top flight return.

But Meslier’s career could have gone down a different path.

In an interview with The Athletic, the 21-year-old has opened up on an offer to join Chelsea three years ago.

He said: “Chelsea agreed with Lorient and then asked me, ‘Are you ready?’ But it was 24 hours before the end of the window.

“I said, ‘No, it’s too late, man! If you’d come one or two weeks earlier then I might have said yes. I can’t sign for you so late’.

“It was a difficult decision. Chelsea are a big club. You would ask me, ‘Why not (go)?’.

“But there are lots of keepers in Chelsea’s academy, it’s very hard to grow up there and sometimes you sign and you have to go on loan, things like that.

“It’s better, I think, to work in your club and then sign to be a No 1 at 24, 25. Not at 18 years old.”

Chelsea are renowned for their use of loans when developing young talent.

Mason Mount gained experience at Vitesse and Derby County before returning as a well-rounded player in July 2019.

Team-mate Reece James got used to senior football during a temporary spell at Wigan Athletic in 2018/19.

For Meslier, the decision not to move to Stamford Bridge has worked.

He became Lorient’s number one shortly afterwards and featured 30 times for the club, conceding 32 goals.

Leeds came calling in August 2019 and he decided it was ready for the next step in his career.

He joined on loan initially before the move was made permanent last summer.

Meslier has the potential to become one of the best keepers in the Premier League.

He was nominated for the Premier League’s Young Player of the Year award last term, a prize which was ultimately won by Manchester City’s Phil Foden.