The most essential aspect of a goalkeeper’s game at Leeds United, according to Daniel Farke, is and always will be keeping the ball out of his net.
Fortunately, despite a few high-profile gaffes, Illan Meslier has done so more often than not this season. Leeds United’s number one is still in contention to win the Championship’s Golden Glove title, only four short of James Trafford’s incredible haul of 24 clean sheets.
Meslier also responded nicely to his early blunder against Sheffield United on Monday night. A number of excellent gathers and one fine piece of positioning helped limit the home side to one goal before Leeds rallied to pull five points clear at the top.
So, while some would claim that Leeds are top of the table despite Mesier rather than because of him, Daniel Farke will not join in. Throughout his two seasons in charge at Elland Road, Farke has consistently defended Meslier in the face of criticism, highlighting Meslier’s ability to make ‘world-class’ reaction saves as well as the accurate distribution that allows Leeds to dominate possession even against the division’s best teams.
Meslier completed 84% of his passes as Leeds won 3-1 at Bramall Lane. Michael Cooper, in the opposition dugout, had a completion rate of only 46%.
Daniel Farke appreciates Illan Meslier’s ability to start attacks at Leeds United.
“When a goalkeeper returns to the dressing room with a clean sheet, for me, it’s always world-class because this is his primary responsibility,” Farke remarked in May of last year, following a 0-0 draw at Norwich City in the first leg of the play-off semi-finals.
“[But] we’re always speaking, me as well, because I like to use the goalkeeper in the build-up a lot. Normally [Meslier] is a player, for a goalkeeper, who’s incredibly comfortable with the ball and also vital for our game.”
So the implication is clear, especially given reports that Leeds will consider bringing a new goalkeeper to Elland Road this summer.
Anyone who comes in to replace Meslier or compete with him for a starting slot must be able to adapt to Farke’s expectations, not the other way around.
According to TBR Football, Leeds are following Aaron Ramsdale’s position at Southampton. The England international’s contract reportedly includes a relegation clause worth over £25 million.
Former employers Arsenal certainly raised eyebrows in 2021 when they plucked Ramsdale from relegated Sheffield United. Mikel Arteta admitted that this was a ‘controversial’ deal at the time – the perception was that the Gunners had recently sold a far better glovesman in Emi Martinez – but the Arsenal manager was adamant that Ramsdale was the man his team needed to become genuine title contenders.
Given how impressive Ramsdale would prove to be as Arsenal took Manchester City right down to the wire in 2022/23 – he was included in the Premier League’s Team of the Year that season – even the goalkeeper’s biggest doubters found themselves chowing down on humble pie.
Aaron Ramsdale might be ideal. Daniel Farke goalkeeper
Of course, with the arrival of David Raya soon after, Ramsdale’s Arsenal career would disintegrate swiftly.
Mistakes began to creep into his game, most likely as a result of a lack of match sharpness as opportunities dwindled, and he now finds himself rock bottom with Championship-bound Southampton, only a few years after being included in debates alongside Alisson and Ederson when discussing the Premier League’s best goalkeeper.
If Leeds were to bring Ramsdale to Elland Road, they would be embarking on a major reconstruction. A player whose reputation and confidence have dwindled, owing in part to circumstances beyond his control.
While Arteta’s original conviction in the former Bournemouth number one stemmed from his excellent passing range and quick reflexes, Ramsdale’s ability to easily transition into a possession-based system is also expected to play a role in Leeds’ growing interest.
“He is a great character,” Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard said of Ramsdale, hailing his fortitude in the face of Raya’s arrival in North London. “We have two good goalkeepers, and there is a lot of competition.
“Two top goalkeepers, with different qualities, and both so good on the ball and in the goal as well.”
Ramsdale’s most memorable moment in an Arsenal shirt was a 3-0 win over Leicester City in October 2021. A performance most known for his spectacular save on a James Maddison free kick. One that earned Ramsdale the Premier League Save of the Season award.
However, for Arsenal legend Ian Wright, Ramsdale’s stunning reach was not the only aspect of his game that stood out that day at the King Power.
“His distribution is absolutely fantastic,” Wright said. “Just magnificent.”
Daniel Farke is right when he says that, for a goalkeeper, the most important thing is always the clean sheet. But if you are a manager who prides himself upon a possession-heavy approach, then a number one who can begin attacks in one moment while killing them stone dead at the other is just about the best of both worlds.
