Daniel Farke blown away by Leeds United goalkeeper Illan Meslier
Illan Meslier made an impression on Daniel Farke as Leeds United defeated Sheffield Wednesday 2-0 at Hillsborough on Friday night.
Even though Leicester City and Ipswich Town had both played less games than the Whites, they still managed to secure all three points and move up to second place in the league despite being far from their best.
After the match, Farke stated that Leeds had excellent game management against a team who had won four straight games coming into this one. The manager of the Whites stated that their strategy for the first half was to wear down the opposition and sap their energy.
He told reporters that Meslier produced one “world-class” save and acknowledged his happiness with Junior Firpo and Patrick Bamford’s efforts. During a long-range attempt in the second half, the Frenchman came dangerously close to spilling the ball, but Ethan Ampadu saved the day.
According to Farke, who was cited by The Star, “we were pretty much in control apart from this one big chance when Illan [Meslier] made a world-class save…”
“We had fantastic opportunities with chipped balls to Georgie Rutter and Patrick Bamford. Then, just before the half, we scored with a superb striker move from Patrick Bamford and a wonderful cross from Junior Firpo.” In a tactical sense, this was really beneficial.
Well deserved victory for Leeds
For the Whites, who are vying for the automatic promotion spot, it was a well-earned win.
For Farke’s team, who have secured 11 victories and a tie in their previous 12 Championship games, Patrick Bamford and Wilfried Gnonto scored goals in either half to seal all three points.
The 24-year-old Meslier has performed admirably for the Whites this year. In the 35 games he has played so far this season, the French goalie has only allowed 25 goals and made a total of 65 saves.
Since the beginning of the year, Leeds has maintained a higher number of clean sheets. Despite Meslier’s excellent play, Joe Rodon and Ethan Ampadu, the two centre backs in front of him, have made his job simpler.
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Leeds United is becoming more and more certain that they will defeat Tottenham in the summer transfer window to acquire Joe Rodon on a long-term contract. The Welshman was informed that Ange Postecoglou would not allow him to return to north London.
In October 2020, the 26-year-old center-half joined Tottenham after Swansea paid £11 million for his services, as former manager Jose Mourinho recognised potential in the player. The Wales international has played in just 24 games while in North London and only eight as a starter in the Premier League, so opportunities have been few and far between.
Thus, it came as little surprise when Rodon was let to depart from Spurs in the summer of last year, with Leeds coming in to sign the 37-time international on a season-long loan.
Although there was no option to make the move permanent under that agreement, Rodon and Leeds have benefited greatly from Rodon’s relocation to West Yorkshire, where the defender has established himself as a fixture.
Rodon has made 34 league appearances and logged 2914 minutes for the Whites so far. This is by far the most regular football he has ever played in a single season of his career.
Consequently, Rodon has expressed his delight with his life at Elland Road, where he is accompanied by fellow countrymen Dan James, Connor Roberts, and Ethan Ampadu, and Leeds manager Daniel Farke has talked extensively about his aspirations of acquiring the player on a permanent basis.
“Just playing of course is what everyone wants but I think all of us together,” he said. “I think it would be a really nice kind of journey if we did get there [the Premier League]. With the journeys we’ve all been on, now it’s all led us to this moment.”
Postecoglou reaches brutal Joe Rodon future decision
“I simply think it would be fantastic for the collective as well, all of us to be playing together in the Premier League,” Rodon continued.
Leeds, who have been in the thick of things in the promotion race all season, have won an amazing 11 of their 12 Championship games while forming a strong defensive pairing with Pascal Struijk and, more lately, Ampadu.
Leeds has only given up three goals during that period, which means that, thus far in 2024, they are only giving up one goal every 360 minutes on average.
Following Rodon’s outstanding play in the Championship, several teams are now expressing serious interest in signing him to a permanent deal in the Premier League. As previously reported, Leeds would need to win promotion in order to acquire Rodon’s services.
Also, given that Postecoglou has occasionally had few options for central defence this season, there have been hints that Rodon may be given another opportunity to shine at Spurs the next season.
Postecoglou appears to have determined that the Swansea-born player would never again play for the north London giants, so Rodon has now been informed that there is no chance for him to return to Spurs.
Leeds given real belief of permanent deal
In addition, we understands Leeds are being supported to push through the deal and win the race for his signing regardless of whatever league they find themselves in next season, with the player delighted to stay and relishing life under Farke, amid reports Spurs will place a £15 million price on his head.
Former defender Alan Hutton told the defender that staying at Elland Road would be the wise choice for him this summer, all while talking about his time at Spurs and why it is all over for him in north London.
He said to Football Insider, “They’ll be looking to recoup more than what they paid for him.”
“We’re talking over £15million – that’s a huge figure that would probably get it done.
“His tenure at Tottenham wasn’t great, in my opinion, but he’s proven himself at Leeds.
“He looks cheerful and plays fantastic football every week.
“Since he’s at a big club by himself, sticking around might be his best option moving forward.”
“Do I see him breaking into that Tottenham team going forward?” Hutton continued, expressing doubt about his prospects of receiving another chance at Spurs. No.
“You have to be an extremely talented player to perform what they do well because of the high line they play with.
“It might not be appropriate for him right now.”
In the summer of 2025, Rodon’s five-year contract with the Spurs is set to end.
