Lorient goalkeeper Illan Meslier who is currently on loan at Leeds United has received criticism from his parent club’s manager Christophe Pelissier over his decision to switch clubs according to an interview with Le Telegramme.
With the departure of Bailey Peacock-Farrell to Burnley, Leeds were forced to go into the transfer market to recruit a new keeper as competition for Kiko Casilla and bought in the Frenchman which came as a surprise to many supporters.
Meslier had made 30 appearances for Lorient – keeping 10 clean sheets and conceding just 32 goals and had attracted interest from Premier League side Chelsea.
Pelissier has since claimed he was “disappointed” that Meslier had chosen to leave Lorient in favour of Leeds – claiming he could have become first choice had he remained at the French side.
“For me, he would have progressed. Especially since this is the first time I had given a second choice keeper the assurance to play the Coupe de la Ligue and the Coupe de France. Which I never do.”
“For me, in the face of the obstacle, there are two types of attitude, confronting or bypassing it. He has bypassed it. Perhaps he is right, we will see the rest of his career. But as a coach, I was surprised and disappointed.”
Pelissier may well have a point when it comes to his views with Meslier currently not even making the match day squad at Leeds due to the injury to Pablo Hernandez. Jack Clarke has come into the squad to replace Hernandez and with EFL rules stating only five loan players can feature, Meslier has made way.
Had the keeper remained with Lorient he could be playing regular first team football as opposed to being on the sidelines at the Yorkshire side which doesn’t appear to be changing any time soon.
