‘Of course’: Player suggests he could join Chelsea… on one condition

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Leeds United goalkeeper Illan Meslier has said that he is open to joining Mauricio Pochettino’s Chelsea.

Illan Meslier has told FootMercato that he could leave Leeds United and move to Chelsea in the summer transfer window.

The French goalkeeper has noted that there is uncertainty at Leeds following their relegation to the Championship.

Chelsea are reportedly looking for a new goalkeeper following the appointment of former Tottenham head coach Mauricio Pochettino as their new manager.

Meslier has said that he is open to joining Chelsea in the summer transfer window, but only if he gets to be the number one goalkeeper at Stamford Bridge.

Media Foot reported in December 2022 that Chelsea were willing to sell Edouard Mendy and Kepa Arrizabalaga to sign Meslier.

Meslier said, as translated by GetFrenchFootballNews: “It is complicated when you’re in such a situation. We no longer have a coach, our club is being purchased by the 49ers group – there are lots of unknowns.

“For now, I have a contract until 2026. Officially, I still belong to Leeds. I will have to think about what could be the best project, be that at Leeds or another club.”

The goalkeeper added when asked about a potential move to Chelsea: “If it is to go and be on the bench, I’m not interested in that.

“If it’s to be the number one, of course, you can’t say ‘I’m not interested in Chelsea.”

“I’d prefer to go to a less reputable club where I’ll have more game time than a top European club where I’d sit on the bench.”

Should Chelsea sign Illan Meslier from Leeds United?

In our view, Chelsea should not sign Illan Meslier from Leeds United in the summer transfer window.

Now, while Meslier is a good goalkeeper, he is only 23 and is still developing as a player.

And as we saw this past season, the Frenchman does make mistakes from time to time.

Sam Allardyce actually dropped the goalkeeper when he got the Leeds managerial role for the final four games of the Premier League season.

Kepa and Edouard Mendy are more experienced and established goalkeepers, and if Chelsea are to replace either of them to compete for a place in the starting lineup, then they should look at someone who is better than Meslier.