da bwin： This article is part of Football FanCast’s Pundit View series, which provides opinion and analysis on recent quotes from journalists, pundits, players and managers…
da dobrowin： Leeds United have relied heavily on loans this season, and up until this point, it has worked.
United lie second in the Championship with a number of their loanees playing starring roles this season. Ben White has been touted as the new John Stones while Eddie Nketiah has scored five since arriving.
Yet, there is one loanee that still hasn’t made his Leeds debut, of course, we’re talking about Illan Meslier.
However, there is a chance that Meslier will extend his stay at Elland Road as Phil Hay has stated that he believes there is an option to buy in his initial loan deal.
What’s been said then?
Despite his lack of game time, fans seem to be taking a keen interest on his future as one fan asked during Hay’s Q&A session with The Athletic whether or not there was an option to sign him permanently at the end of the season.
“Lorient said there was an option to buy and I believe there is. From what I’m hearing, Bielsa will go with him if Casilla is hit with a ban. You can see Bielsa doing that – similar to what he did with Will Huffer last season.”
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Added interest
While we haven’t seen Meslier lineup for the Whites yet this term, that may change in the coming weeks.
Indeed, Hay states that the Frenchman will be the number one choice if Kiko Casilla is banned for his racial abuse allegations, and this development may mean there’s some added interest to those fixtures.
Of course, every game is important while you’re chasing promotion, but this extended look at Meslier’s abilities may be the deciding factor on whether or not his option to buy is taken up at the end of the season.
Meslier will be playing for more than points if Casilla is banned as a long-term future at Elland Road seemingly hangs in the balance.
On first glance, you wouldn’t expect Leeds to take up their option given his lack of game time. That being said, he has impressed at times for the U23s, saving two penalties so far this season.
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