Illan Meslier is very comfortable in his role as Leeds United’s dressing room joker although Ezgjan Alioski’s antics dominate the social media coverage.
On first impressions, Alioski is the obvious class clown among the playing squad when you see the videos the club puts out on Twitter.
Shaking tunnels or imitating wildlife, Alioski gets the airtime, but Meslier is regularly the man mentioned when his team-mates are asked who if the funniest player in the dressing room.
With Jean-Kevin Augustin’s return to RB Leipzig, Meslier is the only Frenchman in the squad, but found his welcome eased by the likes of Helder Costa and Alioski, who both speak French.
Patrick Bamford also got a mention as a team-mate who is also able to grasp a little French.
“It’s just my personality,” said Meslier. “When I arrived here I stayed myself and it’s easy with Gjanni Alioski because he’s a fun guy.
“He’s my friend. With Helder Costa it’s the same and, after, with Barry Douglas. Fun guys. It’s easy.”
After a full year with Marcelo Bielsa, Meslier has seen his game improved, even his fitness, despite being a goalkeeper.
“Marcelo is a very professional person and he wants the best for the players and for me,” he said. “I progress with my fitness with my team-mates.
“It’s very important for him, so it’s very nice now.”
Since football restarted the instructions of Bielsa have been clearer to hear with the absence of any crowds.
One of the staples has been Bielsa’s orders to Meslier for who should pass to from goal.
Bielsa’s system is demanding for all players, including his goalkeepers, who must play with the ball at their feet and take risks under immense pressure from opposition attackers.
Meslier said video analysis has made the adaptation process easier.
"The video helps the team to understand the system and we work with the video,” he said.
“It’s important for him, for the squad and now, after two years for the older players, it’s easier and, for me, when I arrive it’s easier with the team-mates because the team-mates know who we can play with Marcelo’s system.”
