Noel Whelan has told Football Insider that Leeds United goalkeeper Illan Meslier will find it hard against Cardiff City this coming weekend.
The former Leeds striker, who now works as a pundit for BBC Radio Leeds, believes that the 20-year-old goalkeeper will be under pressure from Cardiff, as the Bluebirds are a physical side who will be putting a lot of balls into the box.
With Kiko Casilla suspended, the France Under-20 international – who joined the West Yorkshire outfit on loan from French club Lorient in the summer of 2019 – has been between the posts for Marcelo Bielsa’s side and will retain his place in the starting lineup for the Championship game against Cardiff City away from home at the Cardiff City Stadium in Cardiff on Sunday afternoon.
Whelan told Football Insider: “He made a cracking save in the first half where he sat on the ball and then scooped it round with his left hand.
“That was pretty much all he had to do all game. We talk about defensive work and off the ball work that Leeds United are all about and they protected him.
“It will be different against Cardiff because they are physical and they will be putting plenty of balls in the box. Meslier will be put under pressure and they have got a very big side so it will be a different test for the young man.”
Automatic promotion push
Leeds are at the top of the Championship table at the moment with 71 points from 37 matches, a point clear of second-placed West Bromwich Albion and as many as seven points clear of third-placed Fulham.
