Former Premier League star David James has been waxing lyrical about Leeds glovesman Illan Meslier recently.
Speaking to The Football Show on Sky Sports, the ex-England international said: ‘I mention Meslier – this guy, wow!
‘There are certain goalkeepers in the Premier League, Edouard Mendy and Meslier especially, when you see what they do, they’re aggressive. There’s a style to them which I define as raw – possibly not over-coached, if that sounds right.’
The French prodigy has enjoyed an impressive, but strange, season.
It’s not often that the glovesman responsible for conceding the second-most Premier League goals in a season comes in for so much praise.
However, Meslier – who cost just £5 million – is certainly deserving of it.
At just 20 years of age, the shot-stopper is already exceeding expectations of a young goalkeeper who easily could’ve let the physicality of England’s top-flight overawe him.
To make matters harder, Meslier plays for Marcelo Bielsa, whose expansive style of football leaves him vulnerable to shots from the opposition.
The Frenchman has conceded 33 goals in 17 games this season, but he has still impressed regardless of that.
Meslier’s bravery in playing the ball out from the back at all times is commendable, while he has pulled off some stunning reflex saves.
He really does look like a fantastic goalkeeping prodigy, and his talents will surely go from strength to strength under a coach as effective as Bielsa.
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