---
title: "Leeds United: Alex McLeish praises Meslier"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/leeds-united-alex-mcleish-praises-meslier/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Luke Seychell"
section: "Features"
published: "2021-03-06T14:35:14Z"
modified: "2021-03-06T14:35:14Z"
---

# Leeds United: Alex McLeish praises Meslier

**Leeds United’s Illan Meslier has shown his qualities this season, and Alex McLeish has emphasised the need for the club to keep a hold of him.**

### McLeish discusses Meslier

Speaking to [Football Insider](https://www.footballinsider247.com/mcleish-tips-leeds-to-save-40m-with-new-meslier-contract/), McLeish said: “You don’t want to lose a big talent. He’s a talent who’s playing as an ever-present in the Premier League.

“If you’re going to lose him and he’s not rewarded with a new contract, then you’ve got to go there and buy somebody for £30-40million. We know what that does to the club’s coffers, we know that the Premier League players invite big-money offers.”

### Leeds have a potential future star

Marcelo Bielsa clearly sees Meslier as his number one choice and he has had a fairly decent season, managing to make 99 saves and keep eight clean sheets ([Premier League](https://www.premierleague.com/players/66378/Illan-Meslier/stats)). The best way to develop a young talent is to embed them into consistent matches straight away and it this method is bearing fruit so far.

Kevin Campbell praised the Frenchman this season as he [said](https://www.leeds-live.co.uk/sport/leeds-united/leeds-united-meslier-dallas-bielsa-19214227): “Leeds’ recruitment staff have done an exceptional job getting him in. He is one for the future and for now. Only 20? Wow. Brilliant signing.”

\[freshpress-quiz id=”347980″\]

It is quite amazing that he is playing in the division and trusted by Bielsa as he is only [21 years-old](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/illan-meslier/profil/spieler/542586). If the [£10.80m](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/illan-meslier/profil/spieler/542586)-rated star is trusted at such a young age it is scary to imagine the potential he has and the quality he will show as he gets older.

***[In other news, Leeds are interested in this young star!](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/leeds-united-transfer-rumours/leeds-united-bielsa-and-co-interested-in-osaze-urhoghide/)***