Illan Meslier’s latest mistakes against Swansea City have once again put him under scrutiny, and this time, it feels like a breaking point for many Leeds United fans. The French goalkeeper has had his fair share of difficult moments throughout the season, but his errors in this 2-2 draw perfectly encapsulated why so many are questioning his place in the starting lineup.
At first, it seemed like Meslier might be the hero of the game, having made a penalty save to keep Leeds in a strong position. In such a tight promotion race, moments like that can be season-defining. However, what followed only highlighted the problem that has been growing all season. His failure to properly deal with a routine situation led to Harry Darling’s goal, before he somehow allowed Zan Vipotnik’s equaliser to slip through him—a moment that left fans shaking their heads in disbelief.
These weren’t just unfortunate errors; they were entirely avoidable. They were the kind of mistakes that separate top goalkeepers from unreliable ones, and unfortunately for Leeds, Meslier is falling into the latter category far too often. A promotion-chasing team cannot afford to have a goalkeeper who consistently makes costly mistakes, and yet that is exactly what Leeds find themselves dealing with.
The Meslier Dilemma: A Long-Standing Issue
Meslier has been Leeds’ number one goalkeeper for years now, having established himself during their time in the Premier League. For a while, he was praised as one of the brightest young goalkeepers in English football—quick off his line, good with his feet, and capable of producing spectacular saves. But as time has gone on, the flaws in his game have become more and more apparent.
His command of the penalty area has never been his strongest attribute, and opposition teams have begun to take advantage of that. Crosses into the box often cause unnecessary chaos, with Meslier failing to deal with them decisively. His shot-stopping ability, once considered his greatest strength, has been called into question more frequently as soft goals continue to slip past him. Most worrying of all, his confidence appears to be completely shattered, which only makes the situation worse. A nervous goalkeeper creates a nervous defense, and that is exactly what has been happening to Leeds this season.
This isn’t just an isolated incident—it’s a recurring theme. Leeds fans have seen this story play out multiple times over the past two years. While Meslier has had some excellent games in that time, they have been far too sporadic to make up for the consistent lapses in concentration. When you’re aiming for automatic promotion to the Premier League, you need reliability, not unpredictability.
Why Hasn’t Farke Made a Change?
The biggest question now is why Daniel Farke continues to stand by Meslier. The German manager has been unwavering in his support for his number one, publicly defending him after mistakes and continuing to start him despite growing calls for a change. On one level, this is understandable—goalkeepers rely heavily on confidence, and dropping Meslier could be seen as a drastic move that further damages his morale.
But at what point does loyalty become stubbornness? Leeds United are in a fiercely competitive battle for promotion, and every point is crucial. Meslier’s errors have already cost the team multiple times this season. How many more times does it need to happen before a change is made?
What makes this situation even more frustrating is that Leeds already have a more than capable replacement sitting on the bench. Karl Darlow is not some untested youngster—he is an experienced goalkeeper with 52 Premier League appearances and 154 Championship games under his belt. He has been in high-pressure situations before and has shown he can handle them. So why is he not being given a chance?
Ally McCoist and Jeff Stelling recently discussed this very issue on talkSPORT, echoing the frustrations of Leeds fans. Stelling pointed out that while it’s commendable that Farke has backed his goalkeeper, there comes a point where that support has to turn into accountability. If Meslier continues to make these errors, and Farke refuses to make a change, then the blame will eventually fall on the manager just as much as the player.
The Importance of Ruthlessness in a Promotion Race
Farke is in a difficult position, but that is what comes with the territory of being a manager. There is no room for sentimentality in a promotion race. Tough decisions have to be made, and right now, the decision that needs to be made is clear—Leeds must make a change in goal.
It’s not just about punishing Meslier for his mistakes; it’s about doing what is best for the team. If Leeds go on to secure promotion, no one will look back and question Farke’s decision to drop an underperforming goalkeeper. But if they fall short and Meslier’s mistakes play a role in that failure, then Farke’s decision to stick by him will be heavily scrutinized.
This is where true managerial ability is tested. A good manager knows when to show loyalty to his players, but a great manager knows when to make a tough call for the greater good of the team. Right now, Leeds need a great manager.
What Happens Next?
Leeds’ next few games could define their season, and Farke has a crucial decision to make before the next match. Does he stick with Meslier and hope he turns things around, or does he finally make the change and bring in Darlow?
If Meslier starts again and makes another costly mistake, the backlash will be even worse. Fans are already losing patience, and another high-profile error could turn the frustration into outright anger. On the other hand, if Farke makes the switch and Darlow performs well, it could be the stabilizing change Leeds need at the most important time of the season.
Meslier’s future at Leeds may also be in doubt. If the team secures promotion, will they really trust him as their first-choice goalkeeper in the Premier League? His inconsistency suggests that Leeds may need to look for a new long-term option between the posts. Even if they remain in the Championship, the question will be whether they want to continue with a goalkeeper who has struggled so much in key moments.
Conclusion
At the end of the day, football is a results business. Farke’s job is to get Leeds promoted, and if a decision as simple as changing the goalkeeper can help achieve that goal, then it has to be done. There is no room for sentiment, no room for protecting players’ feelings at the expense of the team’s success.
Meslier has had plenty of opportunities to prove himself, and while he has had some great moments, the mistakes have become far too frequent. The time has come for Farke to be ruthless. If Leeds are serious about automatic promotion, then making the change in goal is not just an option—it’s a necessity.