Illan Meslier told the Leeds United podcast that he wanted to stay this summer as he felt guilt at the club being relegation to the Championship and could not bare to leave without Leeds in the Premier League.
Meslier, 23, remained in the summer despite being expected to go. The club, perhaps, were even set to wave goodbye – given the signing of Karl Darlow. But, he has started all five Championship games so far.
That is despite links to some Premier League clubs and Spanish side Celta Vigo. Angus Kinnear recently told The Square Ball podcast that the club had received an offer north of £20m for the French stopper.
Meslier was asked if he was close to leaving the club by Matt Lewis on the podcast – and he responded by saying “no”. Meslier says he felt guilty and wanted to help Leeds get back into the Premier League.
“No,” Meslier said when asked if he was close to leaving. “Sometimes it is difficult to leave when the club is going down, because I feel inside guilty. I played most of the games and the results weren’t good.
“It was not good for me to leave with the club in the second division. To play somewhere and see Leeds in the middle of the second division and think, ‘oh no’. Had to stay, give my best to get us in the top two.”
Illan Meslier wanted to stay at Leeds as he felt guilt at relegation
There are obviously doubts over just how true Kinnear’s comments are and whether, if a club had come in for Meslier and met his demands – whether he would have been so apparently loyal. But, he is here.
Taking his comments at face value – then Meslier deserves to be appreciated for his loyalty. Hopefully, he can return to the form that saw him become one of Europe’s hottest goalkeeping properties.
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