Leeds United star Illan Meslier details what he wants for 24th birthday gift
All Leeds keeper Illan Meslier wants for his birthday is another three points - risks or no risks.
The France international turns 24 on Saturday hoping to celebrate with victory at Huddersfield in the lunchtime showdown. 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 fully intend to make it full steam ahead with their stunning Championship form - nine wins on the bounce - that has seen them surge into the top-two.
Asked what a perfect birthday present would be, Meslier admitted: “Three points, to be honest. That’s all I ask. And a clean sheet.”
Meslier’s stellar form has under-pinned 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. Nerveless Meslier produced a sublime Cruyff turn to fool Chelsea striker Nicolas Jackson in the heat of Wednesday’s thrilling Stamford Bridge battle.
It all just adds to the thrill-factor of this stylish promotion-chasing Leeds side. But ice-cool Meslier insists fancy footwork remains the norm’ for him. He said : “It’s instinct. It’s stuff that you do at the last half-second. My distribution was pretty good the other night but this action was one action between a lot.
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“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 United stopper Illan Meslier (Getty Images)And Leeds fans are thinking it’s not crazy to think they can secure an immediate return to the Premier League. They won yet more admirers for the way they out-played moneybags Chelsea at times in midweek before that late sucker punch. However, on Saturday, they will be the heavyweights needing to beware of a shock blow.
West Yorkshire rivals Huddersfield are rooted in the bottom-three fearing relegation. But they have won three of their last five games with new head coach Andre Breitenreiter getting off to a victorious start with last Saturday’s 3-1 success at Watford. With a swift turnaround to contend with, too, Meslier conceded: “Huddersfield will be a totally different game [to Chelsea].
“We have to be ready for a 12.30 kick-off. We cannot be tired or anything like this. We have to be ready from the first second of the game and be ready because it’s the league and the league is tough. It will be different.
French connection: Leeds Rhinos players Justin Sangere and Mickael Goudemand with Leeds United players Illan Meslier and Georginio Rutter (MATTHEW_MERRICK_PHOTOGRAPHY)"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 we have to make sure game after game we get closer and closer to the target.”
Meslier was speaking after joining up with team-mate and fellow Frenchman Georginio Rutter plus Leeds Rhinos' own French duo of Mickael Goudemand and Justin Sangare with both clubs in Sky Sports action on Saturday and Super League's Magic Weekend being held at Elland Road later this year.
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