PAUL ROBINSON STUNNED BY LEEDS TRANSFER MOVE ADMISSION
Ex-Leeds keeper Paul Robinson says Illan Meslier needs a "new start" after losing his place, surprised he stayed this summer. The French goalkeeper is out of favour and his contract expires soon.
Paul Robinson, a former goalie for Leeds United and England, thinks it is odd that Illan Meslier is still at Elland Road after losing favour.
After initially joining Leeds on loan from Lorient, the French custodian was once considered one of the best young stoppers in English football. Meslier has now been at Elland Road for six years after signing a permanent contract.
However, his stock has dropped in subsequent campaigns. Before Leeds' eventual relegation, Meslier struggled during the team's final Premier League season and was fired by interim manager Sam Allardyce.
Meslier was crucial to the team's promotion the previous season, but he has not been able to regain the form he had early in his Leeds career. The French youth international has fallen in the hierarchy since Lucas Perri arrived this summer. In spite of the Brazilian's absence from the previous four Premier League games, manager Daniel Farke chose to start Karl Darlow, a veteran.
Meslier has time to regain his peak performance, considering he is only 25 years old. Robinson acknowledged on the An Echo of Glory podcast (via Leeds United News) that he was taken aback that the goalie did not make a move during the previous transfer window.
He remarked, "Meslier's confidence is shot." "Meslier is an excellent young goalie. People tend to forget how young he is, in my opinion.
Meslier, who has featured in many top-flight games, was given a chance by Marcelo Bielsa. Meslier was dropped as soon as Allardyce arrived to try to save Leeds in the final weeks of the Premier League season because it was evident that his confidence had been shaken.
He was a young goalie who had never suffered any injuries, which I find quite similar to myself. When you are a young goalie of calibre, everyone is talking about you, your career is always going well, and you never make a mistake or receive negative press.
"To be honest, I am shocked that he is still at the club because I believe he deserved a new beginning," Robinson went on. The club has clearly moved on from him, in my opinion. However, I believe the goalie there is of the highest calibre. He is not a member of the French team.
"There is a fantastic goalie there whose confidence has just been destroyed. He needs a new beginning and a new challenge, and I do not doubt that he will go on and perform what he did for Leeds under Bielsa."
Last month, Leeds managing director Robbie Evans acknowledged there had been summer interest in Meslier; however, no deal finally proved viable for either the club or the player.
Evans stated, "I am aware that he clearly lost his position due to a change made by the squad late last season, but he is a good player, a young player, and has a lot of experience." And to be honest, he did not want to find himself in a predicament. Therefore, it turned out that having him here was better for both of them.
Since Meslier's current Leeds contract is slated to expire at the end of the current campaign, he is allowed to begin negotiations with foreign teams in January regarding a possible free transfer and pre-contract agreement.
HOW JAMES MADDISON’S INDIVIDUAL TRAINING SIGNALS A SHOCK SEASON RETURN
James Maddison returns to individual training as Igor Tudor prepares Tottenham for a vital relegation battle with Forest.
Ahead of Tottenham’s match against Nottingham Forest, manager Igor Tudor gave an update on when James Maddison might return from injury. It’s a crucial moment for Spurs as they prepare to host Forest in what could be the defining 90 minutes of Tudor’s time at the club and quite possibly a key fixture that will shape the season for both teams.
Currently separated by just one point, Tottenham and Forest are locked in a battle against relegation. A win would push Spurs four points clear of the drop zone, while a loss might drag them into the bottom three. The stakes couldn’t be clearer.
Tudor’s side heads into this game with renewed energy, surprisingly positive given the mood just two weeks ago. The draw at Anfield broke a six-game losing streak, and their recent 3-2 victory over Atlético Madrid, though not enough to overturn the aggregate score, brought back a sense of belief. Young players like Xavi Simons and Archie Gray impressed, while Mathys Tel kept the opposition on their toes. The atmosphere at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium was electric in a way fans haven’t felt for months. While the Champions League hopes are dashed, that performance has injected valuable momentum into Spurs’ survival fight.
There’s also some hopeful news on the injury front. Dominic Solanke, who missed the Atlético leg with a hip issue, might be available. His physical presence adds a different dimension to Tottenham’s attack, which Tudor will surely be glad to have.
But the most promising update came from Tudor’s comments about Maddison. The creative midfielder, sidelined since August after rupturing his ACL in a preseason friendly, has begun some individual training, spotted alongside Palhinha. Recoveries from ACL injuries are never straightforward, and the team won’t rush him back. With only seven league games left after Sunday, there’s a narrow window for his return. Still, even the possibility of Maddison getting back on the pitch—someone who can change a game with a moment of skill or a precise pass—offers a much-needed morale boost.
For now, though, the focus remains firmly on Forest.
WHY BORUSSIA DORTMUND EXPECT JADON SANCHO TO SIGN FOR FREE
Unai Emery praises Jadon Sancho despite poor stats, while Dortmund free up £21m in wages to lure him back to Germany.
Borussia Dortmund really want Jadon Sancho back, and they’re hoping to get him for free from Manchester United. Sancho’s contract runs out this summer, and honestly, no one expects United to offer him a new one.
Right now, Sancho’s on loan at Aston Villa. It’s his third spell away from Old Trafford since United signed him for £73 million in 2021. His move to Villa was just a loan with no option to buy.
Villa’s manager, Unai Emery, has hinted he might keep Sancho, but Dortmund aren’t sitting around. The Times says Dortmund didn’t chase wingers last summer because Nico Kovac liked the 3-4-2-1 formation, but now the boss has changed his mind and wants Sancho back.
If Sancho comes back, he'll need to take a hefty pay cut from his £300,000-a-week salary. Still, Dortmund’s where he made his name after moving from Manchester City in 2017.
Dortmund have room in the budget this summer; they let the contracts of Julian Brandt, Niklas Süle, and Salih Özcan run out. That saves them about £21 million a year, and they’re optimistic they can lure Sancho, who’s allowed to strike pre-contract deals with foreign clubs.
Sancho actually spent half of the 2024 season back at Dortmund after Erik ten Hag froze him out at United. He helped them reach the Champions League final, but nothing permanent came of it.
Something similar happened during his loan to Chelsea last season. The club even paid a £5 million penalty just to avoid having to sign him outright. Villa picked him up right at the transfer deadline in September, but, once again, he’s struggled.
So far, Sancho’s got one goal and one assist in 29 games across all competitions. Still, Emery thinks there’s more to come.
When asked in February about signing Sancho for good, Emery said, “Not yet, but he’s a fantastic player. Hopefully, he can help us by improving within our system, like he is doing.
“He’ll need a new contract; maybe it’s here. If he plays his best football, we’ll want him. But other teams will be interested, too.”
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