Illan Meslier is ready to be Leeds United’s Premier League number one after signing permanently, but remains in the dark on Marcelo Bielsa’s plans for him.
The 20-year-old goalkeeper was thrust into first-team action on February 29 after Kiko Casilla was banned for eight matches following allegations of racist language.
Despite spending much of the 2019/20 campaign on the bench and with the under-23s, Meslier shone during the run-in, conceding four goals in 10 matches.
Casilla was available for selection in the final three matches of the season, but Bielsa stuck with Meslier in two of those, underlining the faith the head coach has.
United will pay Lorient around £5m for Meslier, who, after signing a three-year contract at Elland Road, said he was unsure about his Premier League chances.
Asked if he was ready to be the number one next term, Meslier said: “I don’t know. Maybe, maybe not, but I train at 100 per cent and I am ready for starts if I can.”
Casilla, 33, has three years remaining on his Whites contract. He emerged to receive his medal at Elland Road on Wednesday night, but was earlier left out of the matchday squad.
The former Real Madrid goalkeeper played the vast majority of this campaign as the man between the sticks, while Meslier provided cover.
Meslier has taken a lot from being the 2019/20 understudy.
“Kiko is a big, big ‘keeper and when I arrived here it’s important for me to learn with him and with Marcos Abad (goalkeeping coach),” he said.
“I’m very happy to learn with Kiko. It’s very important for me because he’s a player with a lot of experience.”
In the space of 12 months, Meslier has gone from sitting on the bench of a French second division side to the first team of England’s second-tier champions.
Asked if he could have ever predicted such progress and achievement, he said: “Just maybe in my dreams, but it’s unbelievable for the club, for the city and for the supporters.
“It’s amazing and we are happy to promote to the Premier League.”
