Illan Meslier
Meslier reveals reason for snubbing Premier League rivals
Leeds United have a gem on their hands in Illan Meslier, but it could have been a different story had he joined a Premier League rival instead. The goalkeeper has admitted he turned down a move to Chelsea in 2018 and explained his reasoning in an interview with The Athletic.
Illan Meslier said: “Chelsea agreed with Lorient and then asked me, ‘Are you ready?’ But it was 24 hours before the end of the window. I said, ‘No, it’s too late, man! If you’d come one or two weeks earlier then I might have said yes. I can’t sign for you so late’.”
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Solskjaer claims Leeds have opening day advantage
Solskjaer claims Leeds have opening day advantageManchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has claimed Leeds have an advantage ahead of the meeting between the two rivals on 14 August. The Red Devils have seen their pre-season disrupted by injuries due to the number of players who required breaks after representing their country at Euro 2020 or the Copa America. They have also had two players, Eric Bailly and Amad Diallo, representing Ivory Coast at the Olympics. Solskjaer has insisted clubs who do not have the bulk of their squad heading to summer tournaments have an advantage over clubs who do.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said: “It’s still not perfect because I think teams with fewer players in tournaments do have an advantage early on but we’re as ready as we can be.”
Man United star issues Leeds warning
Solskjaer is not the only one in the Manchester United camp speaking out as the meeting with Leeds approaches. Bruno Fernandes has insisted the Red Devils are ‘ready’ for the new campaign and that he is feeling fresh following a post-Euro 2020 rest period.
Bruno Fernandes said: “The lads are ready. We have been training hard, everyone is training really well and everyone will be ready for the beginning of the season. I’m fresh and happy to be back, seeing my team-mates again, training again, it’s always a good thing. It was nice, finally a long break after the season.”
