Leeds Utd star ‘can’t say I’m not interested in Chelsea’ after making exit criteria clear

Leeds United goalkeeper Illan Meslier has addressed his uncertain future after relegation from the Premier League – specifying why he would or wouldn’t leave the club.

After three seasons in the Premier League, Leeds will be back in the Championship next term. Their fate was confirmed after they finished 19th in the 2022-23 Premier League table.

Immediately, concerns have sprung up about which players could leave the club. There are even bigger issues to resolve, such as the takeover of the club and who will be their next manager. But on the pitch, a degree of uncertainty is overshadowing their preparation for the new campaign.

TEAMtalk recently mentioned Meslier as one of 10 Leeds players who could leave the club after their relegation from the Premier League.

Now, the Frenchman has opened up on the chances of him changing clubs this summer.

“It is complicated when you’re in such a situation. We no longer have a coach, our club is being purchased by the 49ers group – there are lots of unknowns,” Meslier told RMC Sport in his homeland.

“For now, I have a contract until 2026. Officially, I still belong to Leeds. I will have to think about what could be the best project, be that at Leeds or another club.”

One of the sides to have been linked with Meslier in recent months has been Chelsea. The Blues will be in the market for new goalkeepers this summer if they offload Edouard Mendy or Kepa Arrizabalaga.

Neither of the current keepers at Stamford Bridge have managed to cement their place as a trustworthy starter over the past 12 months. Therefore, one or both of them could make way for a more reliable number one (and potential backup).

Illan Meslier keen on becoming Chelsea number one

If a vacancy emerges, Meslier has confessed he would be interested – but only if it is for the first-choice berth.

“If it is to go and be on the bench, I’m not interested in that,” Meslier clarified, before adding: “If it’s to be the number one, of course, you can’t say, ‘I’m not interested in Chelsea.’

“I’d prefer to go to a less reputable club where I’ll have more game time than a top European club where I’d sit on the bench.”

Meslier was also linked with Man Utd, but reports over the weekend have confirmed that his decline in form towards the end of the season – which saw him dropped in favour of Joel Robles – has prompted the Red Devils to shelve their interest and focus on Everton’s Jordan Pickford instead.

Therefore, the 23-year-old might have to plot the more patient pathway to the top that he has already been hinting at.

Chelsea, for their part, have no European football on offer next season after coming 12th, but have in recent years been more accustomed to competing towards the top of the table.

They would still be a club with huge expectations for Meslier to join. If he isn’t ready for that leap yet, he might have to explore his other options.

READ MORE: Leeds Utd exodus to begin with electric forwards, as two Euro giants prepare to pounce