Leeds United goalkeeper Illan Meslier endured the toughest season of his young career during the 2022-23 campaign as a porous Whites defence played its part in the club's relegation to the Championship, with the French goalkeeper having to watch the last four games of the season from the substitutes bench.
One of Sam Allardyce's first decisions in what would be a doomed four-match spell in charge at Elland Road was to make a change between the posts, as he dropped Meslier for Joel Robles, but after winning one point out of 12, Leeds were dumped out of the top flight last month.
Meslier now has a chance to end the season on a more positive note as part of the France Under-21s side that is currently taking part in the European U21s Championship and it is clear that his recent troubles for his club side have not clouded the good memories he has already made at Leeds United.
Ahead of Thursday night's clash against Italy, the French Football Federation website ran an interview with the 23-year-old, asking what some of his highlights from his career so far are.
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"The promotion to the Premier League, it was an extraordinary moment," he said. "There’s also the game this year at Anfield against Liverpool where we win in the last few minutes and I have a very good game.
“When you end those type of games, you think back over your career and everything you’ve gone through, what led you to this precise moment. Winning in that mythical stadium and against such players, it’s exhilarating.”
As with a number of players in the Leeds squad since relegation, there has been plenty of speculation about his future at Elland Road, but it is clear that even in a bleak season, the young goalkeeper has been able to make some cherished memories.
