Not just Meslier: Farke must axe “half-hearted” Leeds flop after promotion
Leeds United Begin Premier League Preparations with Crucial Squad Decisions Ahead
With promotion to the Premier League for the 2025/26 season secured, Leeds United must now focus on building a squad capable of competing at the highest level.
The summer transfer window officially opens in June, though clubs can begin making moves beforehand. For Leeds, the challenge will be assembling a team strong enough to avoid an immediate return to the Championship.
Speaking after Leeds’ emphatic 6-0 victory over Stoke City, which confirmed their promotion, manager Daniel Farke admitted he wasn’t ready to think about next season just yet, jokingly asking Sky Sports reporters not to “scare” him.
The German is all too familiar with the demands of the Premier League, having experienced relegation in both of his previous seasons at that level with Norwich City.
Farke will need to take a firm stance in the transfer market, with several players likely to leave Elland Road as part of a squad reshaping. One of the names expected to be moved on is goalkeeper Illan Meslier.
Why Leeds Should Consider Selling Illan Meslier
French goalkeeper Illan Meslier has failed to convince over the past few seasons, both in the Premier League and the Championship.
During the 2021/22 and 2022/23 Premier League campaigns, he conceded 28.6 more goals than expected, based on post-shot expected goals (xG), highlighting significant shortcomings in his shot-stopping abilities.
His performances in the Championship this season have also been underwhelming. After a string of errors, Meslier was dropped in favour of Karl Darlow, who has since conceded only two goals in five games.
The 25-year-old has made three errors leading directly to goals this season and has consistently underperformed against expected goals metrics.
With his contract set to expire in the summer of 2026, Leeds face a decision: renew his deal or sell him while he still holds value.
Based on recent form, selling Meslier may be the wiser choice, allowing Leeds to reinvest in a more reliable option between the posts as they prepare for top-flight competition.
Max Wöber Also Facing Uncertain Future
Another player whose future at Leeds appears uncertain is defender Max Wöber.
The Austrian international has struggled for game time, making just seven Championship appearances this season and often being left on the bench in favour of Joe Rodon, Ethan Ampadu, and Pascal Struijk.
Wöber’s season has been disrupted by injuries, missing 23 games due to knee problems.
Even when fit, he hasn’t earned regular starts, which raises doubts about his suitability for Premier League football.
One of his rare starts came in a 3-3 draw with Hull City, where his performance drew strong criticism from former Leeds player Tony Dorigo, who noted a lack of urgency and sharpness in his play.
Having been part of the Leeds side that was relegated from the Premier League in 2023, Wöber didn’t make much of an impact during that spell either—managing only two clean sheets in 16 appearances and being dribbled past regularly.
Financially, Wöber is among the club’s top earners, reportedly earning £35,000 per week. Considering his limited contributions, Leeds may want to offload him and free up wages for more impactful signings.
Looking Ahead
As Leeds prepare for life back in the Premier League, Daniel Farke and the club’s decision-makers must be bold and strategic in the transfer market.
That may mean parting ways with players like Illan Meslier and Max Wöber, whose recent performances suggest they may not be up to the standard required for Premier League survival.
The summer transfer window presents an opportunity to refresh the squad, address weaknesses, and ensure the team is competitive in 2025/26.
