SWEEPERS KEEPERS
Leeds keeper Illan admits he’ll still follow his instincts... and do the odd Cruyff turn
ALL Leeds keeper Illan Meslier wants for his birthday is another three points – risks or no risks.
The France international turns 24 today hoping to celebrate with victory at Huddersfield.
United’s 12-match unbeaten run came to an agonising end when Chelsea’s Conor Gallagher nudged a 90th-minute FA Cup winner on Wednesday.
But Daniel Farke’s side intend to make it full steam ahead with their stunning Championship form – nine wins on the bounce – that has put them in the top two.
Asked what a perfect birthday present would be, Meslier said: “Three points, to be honest. That’s all I ask... and a clean sheet.”
Meslier’s stellar form has underpinned Leeds’ march, with him shutting out opponents eight times on this current run.
And his confidence is plain to see, especially if his skill on the ball is anything to go by.
Meslier produced a sublime Cruyff turn to fool Chelsea striker Nicolas Jackson in the heat of battle at Stamford Bridge.
It all just adds to the thrill factor of this stylish promotion-chasing Leeds side. But ice-cool Meslier insists it remains the norm for him. He said: “It’s instinct. It’s stuff that you do at the last halfsecond. My distribution was pretty good the other night – but this action was one action between a lot.
“Of course, you have to take risks sometimes. I’m happy it worked. But I know it can also not work. You can’t abuse it and use it too much. But it’s just a normal action for me. It’s nothing crazy to think about.”
Leeds fans are thinking it’s not crazy to think they can secure an immediate return to the Premier League. And they won yet more admirers for the way they at times outplayed moneybags Chelsea (Meslier in action, above) in midweek.
But in today’s lunchtime kick-off they will be the heavyweights needing to beware of a shock. West Yorkshire rivals Huddersfield are in the bottom-three and fearing relegation. But they have won three of their last five games, with new head coach Andre Breitenreiter getting off to a great start in last Saturday’s 3-1 win at Watford.
With a swift turnaround to contend with, too, Meslier added: “Huddersfield will be a totally different game to Chelsea. We have to be ready for a lunchtime kick-off. We cannot be tired or anything like this. We have to be ready from the first second and be ready because it’s the league and the league is tough.
“It will be different. Even if we play well against Chelsea, it’s nothing to compare to this game. We will start again – and try to win again.
“We want to celebrate something at the end of the season but have to make sure, game after game, we get closer and closer to the target.”