Illan Meslier has revealed that he intends on staying at Leeds United despite interest from Chelsea and Tottenham. The 22-year-old goalkeeper has been thinly linked with an exit from Elland Road recently as he continues to impress in the Premier League.
He's been central to the Yorkshire-based side's plans, helping Leeds clinch promotion back into the top-flight two-and-a-half-years ago. Ever since, Meslier has kept his place between the sticks and proved to be an integral feature in the starting lineup.
The France youth international has featured 22 times for the Whites this season, guiding the club to the FA Cup fifth round and away from the relegation zone. While Meslier hasn't recorded many clean sheets during his time at Leeds, his impressive shot-stopping and ball-playing qualities have courted the interest of some top clubs.
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Former Chelsea goalkeeping coach Christophe Lollichon revealed how he encouraged the club to sign the youngster before Leeds swooped in and wrapped up a deal themselves. Lollichon enjoyed a 13-year spell working with goalkeepers at Cobham before spending a short time as a scout.
Speaking on After Foot, the 59-year-old noted some potential candidates to succeed Edouard Mendy and Kepa Arrizabalaga at Stamford Bridge. Lollichon said: "I really appreciate the qualities of Mike Maignan, because if he is appreciated in Italy it is precisely because he is a different goalkeeper from the others.
"And there you have around Mike Maignan, boys like Brice Samba as example. Or Illan Meslier. It's been almost three years since he started in the Premier league.
"He's not far from being my future number one with the Blues, he has so many qualities. I discovered this kid with Regis Le Bris, when he was reserve coach at Lorient. I followed him for two years, I wanted to bring him to Chelsea."
But, despite recognition from elsewhere, Meslier has told L’Equipe he has no intention on leaving Elland Road. When asked if he regrets joining Leeds, he replied: "At the time, no. But the fact of no longer being No 1 at Lorient, I was hurt deep inside.
"England, I always wanted to go there. Leeds is a club that is known around the world. Yes, it could have taken another turn, if there had not been this suspension of Kiko Casilla, maybe that I wouldn’t have made a match in the season, and then what do we do? I had favourable circumstances."
Then, on whether an exit from Yorkshire is on the cards, Meslier said: "No, it could potentially go through an even bigger development of our team.
"It’s beyond my expectations," the £26.3million-rated shot-stopper added. "When you start at Lorient in Ligue 2, you never imagine yourself going up to the Premier League and continuing. I am proud to have broken these precocious records."
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