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‘If we’re nitpicking’: Prutton comments on £5m Leeds man’s latest display
David Prutton has given his verdict on Illan Meslier’s performance for Leeds United in last weekend’s Championship victory, in conversation with the .
The Whites of Marcelo Bielsa hammered Hull City 4-0 on Saturday and remain five points clear of third-placed Fulham in the Championship table – as well as just one point behind leaders West Bromwich Albion.
It didn’t take long for Leeds to break the deadlock against Hull as Luke Ayling weighed in with a long-range effort which cannoned off Callum Elder en route to the back of the net in the fifth minute.
Pablo Hernandez then doubled the Whites’ advantage just two minutes into the second half, and Tyler Roberts made sure of all three points with his side’s third and fourth late on.
Lorient loanee Meslier was drafted in for his Championship debut in wake of Kiko Casilla’s ban and, following a nervy start with some inaccurate passes, eventually settled and did all he was asked of against the Tigers.
“Meslier’s in… who seems to be very confident,” Prutton told the . “If we’re nitpicking, I felt there were a couple of times on Saturday where distribution wise, yes we know he has a nice left foot, but you play your way into the game.
“You do simple passes. You might not always have to clip it onto the fullback’s chest, whilst he is stood on the touchline and assert yourself. From that point of view, he will get better with the more games that he plays.
“Not really tested from [stopping shots], but bigger tests will come. The confidence, which he quite clearly has, will be surely tested and we will see how he gets through it.”
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In wake of Casilla’s ban, Meslier put in a decent enough league debut against Hull to add to his display against Arsenal at the start of the year.
Admittedly the Frenchman, who has just turned 20, will have bigger challenges ahead than a toothless Tigers side, but the makings of a solid keeper are there.
A report from last September said Meslier was reportedly open to a permanent move to Leeds, if chances come his way, and a follow-up report (via ) claims he would cost the Whites about £5million.
Given he now has two senior appearances under his belt with more to come – not to mention saying “the style Leeds play is perfect for me” – it certainly bodes well for the future.