When Leeds United supporters glanced at the line-up chosen by Daniel Farke in the build-up to their side’s lunchtime kick-off versus Luton Town, many would been relieved to see one glaring alteration.
Indeed, Farke’s patience with usual first-choice goalkeeper Illan Meslier has now seemingly expired, with backup shot-stopper Karl Darlow handed a rare start away at the Hatters.
This had been a long time coming, with Meslier far too prone to an error or two this campaign that could cost his side dear in the automatic promotion race and resign them to another sorry season in the Championship.
Meslier's woes this season
Taking in the Frenchman’s numbers at a surface level would indicate that he is a top ‘keeper for the challenging division, considering Meslier can boast a sturdy 21 clean sheets from his 39 Championship outings this season.
But, when you dig deeper, his flaws begin to become more noticeable, with the ex-Lorient stopper guilty of three errors this campaign that have led to opposition goals trickling in.
His biggest blunder to date came way back in October when this innocuous Sunderland effort somehow got the better of him, but it was two errors against Swansea City the match before the trip to Luton that proved to be the straw that broke the camel’s back.
Meslier would drop the ball perfectly for Harry Darling to convert during the 2-2 draw, before allowing Swans striker Žan Vipotnik to be the hero of the day for the visitors when his last-gasp effort was too fierce for the Frenchman to thwart.
Darlow didn’t exactly have the smoothest of games away at Luton either when picking out Isaiah Jones’ first half goal, meaning Farke could be prepared to think outside the box in the goalkeeper department by potentially gifting this Leeds youngster some unexpected senior chances.
Leeds' unexpected new 'keeper
Also axing first-team stalwart Brenden Aaronson ahead of the clash at Kenilworth Road, the German is cutting an unafraid figure now in the Whites dugout involving his lineup selections.
In The Pipeline
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Therefore, his boldest switch to date could come soon in dropping Darlow for promising ‘keeper talent Rory Mahady, with the 18-year-old Scotsman a regular over many seasons now in the U18 and U21 set-ups.
In total, the former Celtic “starlet” – as described by journalist Mark Hendry – has now tallied up 47 appearances in both youth structures, and whilst he has leaked 96 goals along the way, a route into the senior side isn’t completely off the cards.
After all, Farke has shown a willingness to bump up exciting starlets when the time is right, seen in Archie Gray’s unbelievable rise to stardom under his tenure, on top of Mateo Joseph’s background presence in the first-team ranks currently.
Gray
52
0
2
Joseph
65
6
3
Sourced by Transfermarkt
As can be seen when looking at the table above, the ex-Norwich City boss has worked wonders previously on some rising stars at Elland Road, with Gray becoming a first-team regular during the 2023/24 season before a move to Tottenham Hotspur took off.
Moreover, in the example of Joseph, all nine of the Spaniard’s senior goal contributions for the Whites have come under the wing of Farke, meaning the German could get more out of a promising Mahady if the first team comes knocking.
It would be an almighty risk to launch the Scotland U19 international into the first team picture in the midst of a promotion fight, but in terms of finding a long-term Meslier replacement, the answer could be right at home instead of landing a new ‘keeper for a high amount.
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