Leeds enter race to sign “phenomenal” Meslier upgrade

Leeds United supporters won’t be getting carried just yet, but Daniel Farke’s Whites do find themselves in the driver’s seat now in the dramatic automatic promotion tussle in the Championship.

Indeed, the West Yorkshire giants are perched at the very top of the unpredictable division after a slim 2-1 victory over Preston North End, with Chris Wilder’s Sheffield United a sizeable five points off Farke’s troops in third spot after a shock loss on the road to Plymouth Argyle.

Still, Leeds aren’t perfect all over the pitch despite their top-of-the-table appearance, with one problem area at Elland Road coming in the goalkeeper department.

Already, the Whites have targets in mind to improve here, with this potential incoming resting on Farke’s men triumphantly returning up to the Premier League.

The latest on Illan Meslier’s future at Leeds

It’s safe to say that Illan Meslier has had a nightmare campaign at Elland Road. From that horror mistake at Sunderland to the dismal error-riddled performance against Swansea, it’s simply gone from bad to worse.

As a result, Farke has been left with no choice but to take the Frenchman out of the firing line. Karl Darlow has replaced the Leeds number 1 instead.

Speaking about the situation at the beginning of the month, the Leeds boss stated: “The goalkeeper position is not one you change week-to-week like outfield players. Illan had the perfect February with many wins and many clean sheets, but in the last few weeks, there have been a few incidents where we thought he could have done better.”

Related

Illan Meslier’s 9 worst goalkeeping errors in a Leeds shirt

Meslier has been no stranger to an absolute howler in recent weeks.

So, it looks as though Meslier may well have saved his last shot at Elland Road, but who could replace him long-term?

Leeds enter race for “phenomenal” Meslier upgrade

As per a report from Football Insider, Leeds see Southampton goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale as a “great fit” for the club if promotion is achieved, with the Saints shot-stopper set to be available for around the £25m mark.

The report further elaborates that Southampton’s relegation means a release clause has been activated that could see him be sold for this price tag, alerting the Whites to his services.

Once hailed as “phenomenal” by ex-Arsenal great David Seaman when at the peak of his powers at the Emirates Stadium, the 26-year-old would be an arguable upgrade on an often flappy Meslier, who has dropped out of Farke’s first-team ranks recently due to far too many error-strewn displays.

Amazingly, Ramsdale could even go down as Leeds’ next Paul Robinson if everything slots into place nicely, with the Saints shot-stopper once a recognised England international like the former Whites great.

How Ramsdale could be the next Robinson

Away from Leeds’ current woes involving Meslier, leading to Darlow being shoved into the spotlight, Elland Road has been home to some top-notch ‘keepers over the years.

Robinson definitely fits into that category, with the now-retired stopper tallying up 119 appearances in West Yorkshire before solidifying himself as a Premier League stalwart far away from his boyhood employers.

Robinson even headed home a dramatic header for the Whites before a switch to Tottenham Hotspur occurred, with Ramsdale not quite a goalscoring hero in a similar vain, but he does have bags of top-flight experience like the 41-time Three Lions international.

Indeed, the Southampton number 30 has notched up an impressive 177 Premier League appearances for the likes of Arsenal, AFC Bournemouth and Sheffield United, with plenty of clean sheets also coming his way.

Looking at the table above, Ramsdale has regularly impressed in the top division with 40 clean sheets amassed across his 177 appearances, which is only 48 off Robinson’s own total from a weightier 375 clashes.

Meslier has also struggled in the bright lights of the elite league before, meaning a gloveman who can be reliable making the step-up is a must for Farke and Co, with the error-prone Frenchman only registering an inferior 21 clean sheets from his various top-flight outings.

The German will hope Ramsdale can be that dependable pair of gloves in between the sticks, much like Robinson, therefore, with the Whites hopeful that they can further consolidate as a Premier League capable outfit if promotion is sealed.

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