‘He is very strong mentally’ – a whirlwind start to Leeds United life for rock steady Illan Meslier

The 20-year-old was handed the gloves at Elland Road in difficult circumstances in February but, after a string of impressive displays, has never handed them back.

Meslier, who joined the club on loan at the start of the 2019-20 campaign, made his move permanent from Lorient in the summer for around £5m and, in hindsight, it looks like a stunning piece of business by sporting director Victor Orta.

The French Under-21s international was called up for his senior debut against Arsenal in the FA Cup last January but was given less than 24 hours’ notice ahead of his league bow at Hull City the following month.

Sign up to our Leeds United newsletter The i newsletter cut through the noise

Marcelo Bielsa’s first choice, Kiko Casilla who was under mounting pressure already for his on-pitch performance, was banned for eight games on the eve of a clash at the KCOM stadium, after being found guilty by the FA of racially abusing an opponent.

Following an elongated promotion race, Meslier finished the season with seven clean sheets from 10 games – a strong return even behind one of the best defences in Europe.

Despite helping Leeds end their 16-year exile from the Premier League, question marks remained over whether he was the man to be trusted between the posts in the top flight.

Just 30 senior appearances for Lorient in France’s second division had come before his handful of games in England; a lack of experience was an area of concern. Meslier, though, had the full backing of his manager, so much so that there appeared to be very little interest in making a move for another goalkeeper, as the Whites enjoyed a record-breaking summer of transfer spending.

He brought calm in the backline during one the club’s most crucial periods in recent history last term, and that faith has been repaid.

“He’s a player who is very strong mentally and has character,” Bielsa said of his number one recently.

“To play in the Premier League always demands you to be strong mentally. You can’t play at this level without personality and character.”

Less than a minute into Saturday’s 3-1 defeat at Chelsea, Meslier was forced into quick action at his near-post.

Hakim Ziyech latched onto a ball over the top and a good save followed as he was forced to boot away the effort with his legs at the Shed End.

They say goalkeepers like an early touch but, in Bielsa’s system, it is a prerequisite that they are part of the passing game and are often left exposed as the last line of defence owing to the commitment to attack.

Meslier has conceded 20 goals in 11 matches, the second-highest in the Premier League this season.

Eight of those, though, came in two games over the space of four days and few, if any, were laid solely at the goalkeeper’s door. He has made 37 saves from 53 shots faced on target – the fifth-most exposed goalkeeper in the division – and has recorded four clean sheets so far.

As a key part of the ground game, Meslier has completed 339 passes out of an attempted 397. Stats, as impressive or misleading as they can be, don’t always tell the full story.

For a goalkeeper with such little experience on his CV, the confidence he has shown and assurance he has given Leeds as they wade through uncharted Premier League waters cannot be understated. There have been moments when Meslier will feel he could have done better, a freak own goal from Helder Costa at Crystal Palace and an early Christmas present in the form of a stray pass to Olivier Giroud at Stamford Bridge, in which his countryman failed to make him pay.

But there have been remarkable, memorable moments too.

An incredible, low stop from Sheffield United’s John Lundstrum, which left Blades players asking who exactly he was at Bramall Lane, along with the one-on-one denial of Bukayo Saka at Elland Road to ensure a point against 10-man Arsenal.

Meslier’s double save from Timo Werner in the capital only added to his praise, as he ensured Leeds remained in the contest until the very last kick in London.

If you’re good enough, you’re old enough, as the saying goes, and Meslier is proving the belief shown in him is right with each passing week.

A man who took his chance and is yet to let it slip from his grasp, perhaps the best summation of Bielsa’s Leeds.