This article is part of Football FanCast’s Pundit View series, which provides opinion and analysis on recent quotes from journalists, pundits, players and managers…
You get the feeling that this game will never stop being talked about.
The fallout from the Leicester City thrashing of Southampton continues to rumble on and on, and journalist Flo Lloyd-Hughes believes that Brendan Rodgers’ men were right to keep their foot on the gas throughout the 90 minutes.
What’s been said?
Speaking on the Guardian’s Football Weekly podcast, Lloyd-Hughes spoke about whether or not the Foxes were disrespectful in ‘running up the score’ on Southampton.
Watch Leicester City Live Streams With StreamFootball.tv Below
Also debated was the fact they were celebrating once the game got out of reach, much in the same way the United States Women’s team created controversy in their 13-0 win over Thailand at this summer’s World Cup.
She said:
“At that point people were just ‘let’s chase some records’, as well as equalling that Manchester United v Ipswich game, wasn’t it the biggest away win ever as well? I don’t think anyone was saying ‘oh the poor Saints, look at them’.”
This was then added to by Barry Glendenning:
“I don’t think I cared about the American celebrations, but the team they were playing wasn’t the equivalent of Leicester v Southampton, it was Thailand who were amateurs”.
Check out the best fan reaction from Southampton 0-9 Leicester in the video below…
Doing their job properly
If this was a one-off cup tie, there’d be a case to make for Leicester being disrespectful in what they did.
However, the fact they managed to boost their goal difference so significantly as a result of their performance on Friday night is something that will stay with Leicester throughout the season and could eventually help them out come May.
After all, this was a domestic league game we’re talking about.
They now have a goal difference better than league leaders Liverpool, and ten better than the team in 4th place Chelsea.
Whilst there will be plenty of debate about whether or not they were disrespectful in their actions, the best way you can probably quantify the result is ‘professional’.
At the end of the day, Leicester did what they had to do and they needed to.
In fact, it’s probably better for them that they did manage to break the record for biggest away win probably makes it even better.
Imagine if they’d have put all that effort in towards the end and not broken it?
This article is part of Football FanCast’s Opinion series, which provides analysis, insight and opinion on any issue within the beautiful game, from Paul Pogba’s haircuts to League Two relegation battles…
So after looking like they had staged a mini revival, Manchester United were firmly brought back down to Earth with a bump after slipping to a 1-0 defeat to Bournemouth on Saturday afternoon.
The Red Devils came into the game full of confidence following a run of three successive away wins, and coming up against a side that had not scored in their previous three Premier League outings, this was surely seen as a quite comfortable three points.
Instead, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men showcased the kind of problems that have characterised their entire season – a lack of creativity and goals. The Manchester side could only register four shots on target in the entire game, and in truth, never looked like scoring.
Watch Manchester United Live Streams With StreamFootball.tv Below
So when the attention turns towards Thursday night’s Europa League encounter against Partizan Belgrade, the United boss must simply throw caution to the wind and play the kind of attacking line-up that gives the team the best chance of scoring.
As has been the theme this season in the cup competitions, Sergio Romero will likely replace David de Gea in between the sticks for United. In front of him, Marcos Rojo could replace Victor Lindelof, but Solskjaer may be tempted to stick to a strong starting eleven. The Red Devils desperately need a feel-good performance and result, and a clash at home to Partizan is exactly the kind of game they should be ear-marking to do just that.
Whilst Aaron Wan-Bissaka has already earned rave reviews for his defensive prowess, he is not the most adventurous of full-backs – certainly not by modern standards. Against Bournemouth at the weekend, the former Crystal Palace man attempted no crosses whatsoever, whilst only two of his his attempted eight long balls found their mark. Teenage prospect Brandon Williams – who had United fans drooling over a mazy run in a game earlier this season – could be the man to provide some attacking thrust.
Watch how to cross the road like a boss with freestyler Ben Nuttall in the video below…
In midfield, James Garner could come in for Scott McTominay to help dictate the tempo, whilst Andreas Pereira’s woeful showing in the number ten role against the Cherries surely means he should be out of the team on Thursday. The Brazilian provided just one key pass, failed to complete any of his six crosses and lost possession 23 times. Solskjaer should therefore think about turning back to Juan Mata to provide some creativity – after all, the ex-Chelsea man has an impressive career average of two key passes per game.
And finally, whilst the Red Devils boss may want to give his forwards a rest, they could really do with another boost in confidence. As such, the likes of Marcus Rashford, Daniel James and Anthony Martial may be given the chance to start again – and it’s exactly the kind of attacking line-up Solskjaer needs to put out to quickly erase their painful Bournemouth memories.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has been handed a potential Martin Odegaard injury boost after initial fears over his timeline, and there is a prospect of him returning earlier than expected.
Odegaard suffers "significant" ankle injury at Arsenal
While Arteta coped brilliantly without Arsenal’s captain in their 1-0 North London Derby win away to Spurs last weekend, Odegaard was a sore creative miss during the Gunners’ 0-0 draw away to Atalanta in the Champions League on Thursday evening.
£200k-per-week Arsenal star now "almost certain" to leave after Saudi talks
PIF, lead by chairman and crowned prince Mohammed bin Salman, have reached out for talks with him.
ByEmilio Galantini Sep 20, 2024
In their bid to beat Man City and Pep Guardiola to the Premier League title this season, all the while ending their 21-year-wait for a league crown, Arteta will be privately hoping that their chief creator can return to action as soon as possible.
Odegaard injured his ankle on international duty with Norway, and was forced off with the issue during their 2-1 UEFA Nations League win over Austria. Since then, Arteta has confirmed that the 25-year-old suffered “significant” ankle ligament damage and could be out for a while.
Appearances
156
Goals
35
Assists
25
Yellow cards
12
Red cards
0
Minutes played
12,108
“The scan showed some damage around the ligaments in the ankle so we are going to miss him,” said Arteta in an Odegaard injury update before Atalanta.
“It’s something quite significant so we are going to lose him for a while. Hopefully not months. He’s our captain, he’s been one of the biggest and best players in our team. Our identity is very linked to how he plays and behaves. It’s a big test for the team to see how able we are to show a different face.”
With Mikel Merino sidelined after a shoulder fracture, Odegaard’s absence prompted Arteta to drop Kai Havertz back into midfield against Atalanta – as opposed to his usual makeshift centre-forward role where he has been very effective.
Gabriel Jesus started up top in Bergamo, with Arsenal struggling to match their usual attacking prowess. Some reports have even claimed that Odegaard could be out till Christmas, but these initial fears have been somewhat put to bed by GiveMeSport.
Martin Odegaard could return for Arsenal in six weeks
As per their information, Arsenal are hopeful that Odegaard could return within six weeks, and potentially for their all-important clash against Liverpool on October 27.
Indeed, it is believed that Arteta’s side are optimistic over their midfielder returning late next month or early November, but there is also caution, as Arsenal are fully aware Odegaard may take even longer to get back to full fitness.
Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard
In the meantime, Arsenal are gearing up for a crucial encounter against Man City at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday, and it will be very interesting to see how Arteta sets up his side in one of their most testing matches of the season.
The £240,000-per-week star bagged eight goals and 10 assists last campaign, helping to push City all the way to the final day as Arsenal finished 23/24 with 89 points.
Aston Villa have no time to rest now after their breathless 3-2 win over Everton last time out in the Premier League, as Champions League football finally gets underway for Unai Emery’s excited camp on Tuesday night.
Emery would have loved the passion and drive from his team that saw them pick up a comeback win against Sean Dyche’s Toffees, hopeful that this resilience to dig deep and pick up dramatic results stands them in good stead for the esteemed tournament.
Aston Villa manager Unai Emery
The former Arsenal manager has, of course, managed at this level before, but many of his players have never tasted action when it comes to Europe’s elite competition.
Morgan Rogers could be one of the unlucky few to not make the cut for the starting XI against Young Boys tonight, after a wasteful showing versus Everton last time out.
Rogers' performance vs Everton
The former Manchester City youngster could find his spot taken up by a different Villa body in Switzerland, based on his poor display against the Toffees in the attacking midfield area.
Away from the likes of Ollie Watkins and Jhon Duran in attack who fired home the vital goals to help Villa pick up a dramatic three points, Rogers would fluff the opportunities that fell to him, with two big chances missed off the 22-year-old’s back.
Further, the Villa number 27 might well find he’s dropped to the substitutes bench for his side’s Champions League opener owing to his constant wayward passing against Everton, with possession squandered 15 times by the attacker in total.
In stark contrast, his composed midfield teammate Youri Tielemans would register 126 accurate passes from his staggering 147 touches of the ball, with the Belgian star standing out as a creative spark constantly aiming to cut the Toffees open.
Away from his haphazard passing, Rogers was also weak in asserting himself in duels with only four successful ones managed from 15 attempted.
Tielemans will know his spot in Emery’s XI is concrete, whilst his 22-year-old counterpart will be anxious about his prospects of starting against Young Boys, as Emery assesses now what to do with his lineup if Rogers is given the boot.
The players who could replace Rogers
Of course, Emery might well keep his faith in Rogers here, who continues to look like a promising gem for Villa who just needs a little more polishing.
But, there were some exciting cameos off the bench from other midfielders last match, including the “unbelievable” Ross Barkley – as he was described by former teammate Andros Townsend – who would be comfortable playing in that lone attacking midfield spot.
Minutes played
45
Goals scored
0
Assists
1
Touches
45
Accurate passes
42/43 (98%)
Key passes
1
Accurate long balls
4/4
The ex-Everton man would help his current employers ultimately win the back-and-forth contest against his former club, as Barkley would tee up another second-half substitute in Jhon Duran to power home a stunning long-range winner.
Alongside that, Barkley was just stylish on the ball whenever a pass came his way, with only one misplaced pass in the contest from 43 attempted.
The 30-year-old also has experience on his side when it comes to Champions League football, amassing six appearances in the illustrious competition in the past when on the books at Chelsea, before his playing days saw him return to Villa.
There could even be a tweak of formation and plenty of other changes made, with Barkley playing as a holding midfielder when thrown into the action versus the Toffees, but he’s more than comfortable at playing further forward.
Whatever line-up does take to the field in Switzerland, Emery will pray that his players give it all they have, as the high-stakes drama of Champions League football gets underway.
No Rogers or Onana in 3 changes: Predicted Aston Villa lineup v Young Boys
Unai Emery could make a number of changes to his Aston Villa side as they start their Champions League journey.
Manchester City went into the first international break of the 2024/25 campaign at the top of the Premier League table with three wins in three matches.
The Citizens secured wins Chelsea, Ipswich Town, and West Ham United to maintain a perfect start to the season, with Erling Haaland scoring hat-tricks against the Tractor Boys and The Hammers.
Pep Guardiola's side have won the last four Premier League titles and are on the hunt for a fifth, whilst also looking to compete in all competitions.
They were knocked out of the League Cup, the FA Cup, and the Champions League in the 2023/24 campaign, which meant that the league title was the only major honour won last term.
City need to have quality strength in depth to compete on all fronts, due to the rotation needed and injuries caused by playing in multiple competitions, and one player who needs to step up is Jack Grealish.
The England international was d eployed in a number ten role and, as you can see in the clip above, scored against Ireland for Lee Carsley and the Three Lions on Saturday, after a difficult period at The Etihad. Jack Grealish's struggles with Manchester City
Grealish has started one of the club's three Premier League matches so far this season, featuring in two of them, and did not contribute with a goal, assist, or 'big chance' created.
The 28-year-old star also ended the 2023/24 campaign as an unused substitute in the last three games, including the FA Cup final defeat to Manchester United.
Signed from Aston Villa for a whopping £100m in the summer of 2021, the versatile midfielder, who can play out wide or in the middle, has not been totally convincing for the Premier League giants.
Appearances
20
Starts
10
Goals
3
Assists
1
Key passes per game
1.4
Dribbles per game
0.9
As you can see in the table above, Grealish struggled for game time last season and failed to contribute with much in the way of quality in the final third, with four goal involvements in 20 appearances in the top-flight.
Since his move to The Etihad, the England international has contributed with 14 goals and 18 assists in 127 outings in all competitions for the club.
The £100m-rated forward has not hit double figures for goals or assists in a single Premier League season with the Citizens in his three campaigns to date.
Ultimately, City have not got value for money on the £100m they spent to sign him from Aston Villa over three years ago, as Grealish has not made a consistent impact in the final third as either a scorer or a creator of goals.
He has also only started 11 league games since the start of last season, which suggests that Guardiola believes he has better options on the flank and in midfield.
The City boss could have had another superior alternative to Grealish if the club had not fumbled talented youngster Jamie Bynoe-Gittens back in 2020.
Manchester City fumbled Jamie Bynoe-Gittens
Manchester City swooped to sign the teenage whiz from Reading in the summer of 2018 and had the promising talent in their academy for two years.
The England youth international made two appearances for the club at U18 level, as he was still in the early stage of his academy career, and contributed with one goal before making the decision to move on in 2020, at the age of 16.
Jamie Bynoe-Gittens for Dortmund.
He had not signed a professional contract with the Cityzens and that meant that Borussia Dortmund were able to make him an offer without having to agree a fee with the English outfit.
Bynoe-Gittens decided, after watching former City academy star Jaden Sancho thrive after a similar move, to part ways with City and make the switch to Germany in the summer of 2020, with the potential of first-team football reported to be one of the deciding factors.
It was reported that the Bundesliga giants only had to pay €90k (£76k) in compensation for the young gem, which now looks to be an incredible piece of business by Dortmund.
Bynoe-Gittens has gone from strength to strength since his move to Germany and has outperformed Grealish since the start of the 2023/24 campaign.
Why Man City must rue losing Jamie Bynoe-Gittens
Firstly, Transfermarkt currently has the winger's market value at €28m (£23.6m) and that is significantly more than the £76k that the Cityzens raked in for his services just over four years ago.
This shows that City lost a hugely valuable asset for a virtually inconsequential fee when they failed to convince him that The Etihad was the best place for him to continue his development.
Phil Foden, Rico Lewis, and Oscar Bobb emerging as first-team stars for Man City in recent seasons shows that Guardiola is willing to give chances to young players, but Bynoe-Gittens seemingly did not believe that he would get the game time he needed.
Since his move to Dortmund, the England U21 international has starred at youth level – with 11 goals and five assists in 20 academy games – and worked his way into the first-team.
Appearances
27
22
Starts
15
11
Goals
3
3
Assists
4
1
Big chances created
4
3
As you can see in the table above, Bynoe-Gittens has made more appearances and more starts, whilst also being involved in more goals, than Grealish at league level since the start of the 2023/24 campaign.
Last season, the 20-year-old starlet produced two goals and eight assists in 34 appearances in all competitions, whilst Grealish managed three goals and three assists in 36 outings.
Manchester City's Jack Grealish
These statistics suggest that Bynoe-Gittens, who was hailed as a "threat" in transition by U23 scout Antonio Mango, has outperformed his compatriot at club level over the past 13 months or so.
This is another reason why Man City must rue losing the young forward, who is eight years younger than Grealish, as he is a terrific prospect who has already shown great quality at first-team level for his age and could have been a big asset for Guardiola to work with.
Man City messed up with £300k sale who's now worth more than Lewis
The Cityzens allowed the talented young defender to move on before his career flourished.
Jurrien Timber “wants to join Arsenal,” and with the deal getting “the green light by all parties”, it shouldn’t take long for the player to officially join the North London side, claims journalist Paul Brown.It has been a busy start to the transfer window for Arsenal, with the deal for Chelsea’s Kai Havertz reportedly reaching its conclusion, the ongoing saga over West Ham United’s Decan Rice, and now the rapid pace at which the deal for Timber seems to be developing.
Arsenal transfer news – what’s the latest on Jurrien Timber?
Soccer Football – Champions League – Group A – Napoli v Ajax Amsterdam – Stadio Diego Armando Maradona, Naples, Italy – October 12, 2022 Napoli's Victor Osimhen in action with Ajax Amsterdam's Jurrien Timber REUTERS/Ciro De Luca
The Dutch defender has impressed for Ajax for several years now, and this time last summer, it looked like his performances had earned him a move to Manchester United with former manager Erik ten Hag.
However, Mikel Arteta’s side now looks to be in the driving seat for the player’s signature, with David Ornstein first confirming the Gunners’ interest in the 22-year-old on June 19th.
The deal looks to have rapidly developed since then, with Fabrizio Romano reporting that Arsenal have submitted a second bid for the 5 foot 10 dynamo in the region of €45/48m (£39/41m) and that the Timber “loves Arsenal’s project and wants to join them.”
What has journalist Paul Brown said about Jurrien Timber to Arsenal?
Brown was very confident that Timber’s move to North London was just around the corner as all parties seemed to be nearing an agreement on the transfer.
Speaking to Football FanCast, he said: “Timber clearly wants to join Arsenal. It seems to have been given the green light by all parties so far, so I do think that one will happen and it won’t take very long to get done.”
How good is Jurrien Timber?
Timber has been one of Ajax’s stand-out stars for a couple of years, first making his debut for the club on March 7th 2020, in a 3-1 win over SC Heerenveen.
Since that game, he has pulled on the famous red and white of the Netherlands’ biggest team 121 times, scoring six goals and assisting another four.
Despite not getting his move to United last summer, he still had a great season in the Dutch capital, averaging an impressive rating of 6.89 across his 34 Eredivisie matches, per WhoScored.
One of the Utrecht-born gem’s biggest strengths is his positional versatility, having played as both a centre-half and right-back during his career, something that has unsurprisingly caught the eye of Arteta.
The Spaniard has developed a system in which the team’s right-back often tucks in as a third centre-half when the team has the ball, and while Ben White has proven to be excellent in this role, he would likely benefit from some competition and some cover, which is where Timber could truly add value to the team.
If Arsenal really are about to sign the “unbelievable” player – as once described by national teammate Daly Blind – their backline could be much scarier next season.
Leeds United are yet to make their first move in the 2023 summer transfer window with the 49ers club takeover yet to be concluded, but that has not stopped rumours of Jayson Molumby's possible transfer to Elland Road.
The West Bromwich Albion star has been in fine fettle and one of the centrepieces behind the Championship outfit's resurgence after a dismal start to the most recent campaign, and Leeds have taken note.
That's according to The Sun's Alan Nixon, who has recently claimed via his Patreon account that Leeds have earmarked the dynamic midfielder as a top target this summer.
Rated at £4m by Football Transfers, Molumby would be an excellent fit for the West Yorkshire outfit, at least, that's according to transfer insider Dean Jones – speaking to GIVEMESPORT – who said: "You need players that the Leeds fans can trust and identify with. And this is someone who would certainly show all the determination and drive that you would really expect from Leeds and want in his position.”
How good is Jayson Molumby?
If Leeds could pull off what would be a signing to catalyse the central midfield's robustness and effectiveness, it could represent the dream replacement for Weston McKennie, who endured a lacklustre six-month loan spell with the Whites after signing from Juventus in January.
This is not to explicitly say that Molumby is a 'better' player than McKennie, who, of course, boasts a wealth of experience across multiple top-flight European leagues and has starred for USA at the 2022 World Cup, but it simply didn't work out for the industrious midfielder at Elland Road, and he floundered to an average rating of 6.67 – as per Sofascore – across his 19 matches in the division. This was just the 13th-best rating in the squad last term.
Hailed as "an insane talent" by journalist Rudy Kinsella, Molumby is tried and tested in the second tier and would surely view a transfer to Leeds as a step up in his career and the chance to cement a starting berth in an outfit hoping to rectify the past wrongs with a swift return to the Premier League.
The omens are certainly promising, with the Waterford-born ace playing 43 times in the Championship this season as West Brom eradicated the concerns over relegation and forged a path to promotion contention, missing out on the play-offs by just three points.
The 23-year-old recorded an average rating of 6.83 after posting four goals and assists apiece, also completing 86% of his passes and averaging 1.4 tackles per game.
Praised as an "animal" by manager Carlos Corberan, the Republic of Ireland international seemingly boasts the tenacity and guile to succeed in the Championship, and he would certainly be a massive upgrade on McKennie, who was indifferent during his time at Elland Road.
Ah, transfer season, welcome back! We’ve missed the famous Fabrizio Romano “Here we go”, the outrage you cause, and the joy and heartbreak that you bring. But, most of all, we’ve missed your ability to turn day-to-day people into the next Sherlock Holmes.Arsenal fans have become the latest to put on their detective hats, and long – almost Arsene Wenger-like jackets – to reveal the latest status on reported target Jurrien Timber, going as far as tracking the Ajax defender’s flight.
What is the latest on Jurrien Timber to Arsenal?
The news of Arsenal’s pursuit of Timber really did seem to come out of nowhere, especially considering the fact that the Ajax man was at the FA Cup final between Manchester United and Manchester City earlier this month.
According to David Ornstein of The Athletic, however, the Gunners have made an opening bid worth £30m to Ajax for Timber, and have agreed personal terms with the Dutchman.
Ajax reportedly want £50m for the Arsenal target, but there is optimism over a compromise taking place to get a deal done.
Mikel Arteta and co have certainly been busy so far this summer, amid links to moves for Declan Rice and Kai Havertz accompanying the news of their pursuit of Timber.
After finishing second in the Premier League last season, it looks as though the North London club will be looking to take things up yet another level next term, no doubt hoping to claim some major trophies.
Arsenal fans track Jurrien Timber’s flight
It’s only June, and yet we’ve already reached the flight tracking stage of the transfer window, courtesy of Arsenal fans.
Taking to Twitter with his findings, @Gunner_Things posted:
Fans were quick to react to the news of Timber’s potential flight, with many taking to Twitter to hilariously react to the tracking of the plane by Gunners supporters, some of which you can see below:
Arsenal are edging closer to signing a Premier League ace, as the Gunners aim to make a dominant start to the transfer window.
Mikel Arteta will be hoping to build upon his title-challenging season in north London by making strong reinforcements this summer.
The latest talent speculated to be Emirates-bound poses as a significant figure to bolster the squad.
What’s the latest on Kai Havertz to Arsenal?
As initially reported by journalist Alex Goldberg via AFCStuff last week, Arsenal are interested in Chelsea forward Kai Havertz.
The speculation has gathered significant pace since the official opening of the transfer window.
Journalist Angelo Mangiante stated yesterday that the Gunners are “very close” to signing the German star, naming him a player with “great class”.
Valued around £60m by FootballTransfers, it’s believed that Chelsea are wanting a fee in the region of £75m for the 24-year-old, who has two years remaining on his current contract.
What could Kai Havertz offer to Arsenal?
Lauded as a “generational talent” by talent scout Jacek Kulig, the Germany international could be a revelation in north London.
While this season was damningly underwhelming in the west of the capital, Havertz has unquestionable talent outside of his form and contribution to Chelsea’s 12th-place finish.
Deployed primarily as a forward at Stamford Bridge, the former Bayer Leverkusen star is versatile in his positioning in attack, having innate playmaking skills which make him a strong asset in central midfield.
During his rise to senior football in the Bundesliga, the Aachen-born gem contributed to 61 goals in 118 league appearances, including a glamorous individual campaign in which he was voted Transfermarkt Player of the Season for 2018/19.
That year, the then-20-year-old scored 17 goals and added four assists in 34 appearances, showing the threat the talent can provide if stationed in a fluid attack.
Arsenal ended the season as the Premier League’s second-highest scorers in a delightful term for the Gunners, with Arteta creating a flourishing young attack Havertz could undoubtedly thrive within.
Due to his creative ability, the Champions League winner could add a playmaking spark if deployed to lead Arsenal’s line, which could significantly benefit Gabriel Jesus.
The Brazilian scored 11 goals in his first term at the Emirates, as well as registering six assists, showcasing his own creative ability aside from putting the ball in the net.
This campaign, the German averaged 3.12 progressive passes per 90 via FBref, highlighting his ball-playing competency and multi-dimensional approach to leading the line in a style that could reach new heights in Arteta’s system.
Jesus followed closely behind Havertz in terms of progressive passes, averaging 2.76 per 90 – suggesting that he could be complemented by the German in the similarities to their games.
The duo could form a balanced partnership with their goal-scoring and creative ability, supplying the squad with unlimited chance creation in attack.
If Arteta is capable of unlocking the past form of Havertz in a positive environment in north London, having two creative forwards could be the key to unlocking another title charge at the Emirates.
Chelsea's need for a consistent goalkeeper has been apparent for a while now, with neither Kepa Arrizabalaga nor Edouard Mendy managing to go more than a few games without coming in for criticism.
The Blues made strengthening elsewhere – namely in attack – their priority in the past two windows, but that may well change this summer with new head coach Mauricio Pochettino now in place.
Illan Meslier recently emerged as a surprise option to join Chelsea in Pochettino's first transfer window in charge, and the Leeds United goalkeeper has not exactly ruled out a move to the Blues.
What is the latest on Illan Meslier's future?
Meslier has spent the past three seasons with Leeds, coinciding with their relatively short return to the Premier League, and has had a rather mixed time of things.
The Frenchman still has another three years to run on his contract at Elland Road, explaining his valuation in the region of £17m, as per Football Observatory.
When asked about his future by RMC Sport on Sunday, Meslier admitted the situation is "complicated" following Leeds' relegation to the Championship, while also opening the door for a move to Stamford Bridge – though only if he is installed as first-choice goalkeeper.
"If it's to go there and be on the bench, that doesn't interest me," he said. "If it's to be number one, obviously you can't say 'no, I'm not interested in Chelsea."
Is Illan Meslier good enough for Chelsea?
Meslier conceded 67 goals in the Premier League last season, which is at least ten more than any other 'keeper in the division, as per FBref. Having started 34 of Leeds' 38 matches, that translates to 1.97 goals against per 90 minutes – once again the worst return in the league.
For comparison, Kepa conceded 1.16 goals per 90 minutes last season, ranking him ahead of David De Gea (1.13) and on par with Alisson (1.16), while Mendy conceded 1.47 goals per 90 minutes across ten appearances.
Chelsea goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga
Looking at the numbers a little deeper, Meslier saved just 59.5% of shots faced last season – only Southampton's Gavin Bazunu (54.2) fared worse. In terms of basic metrics, then, Meslier is not good enough to be Chelsea's number two, let alone their number one.
Meslier's biggest strength – and something that not should not be easily discredited – is his ability to cut out opposition crosses. The 23-year-old stopped 7.9% of crosses faced last season, which was bettered by only four others.
Indeed, FBref ranks Meslier in the top 13% among his positional peers across Europe's top five leagues over the past year, though that metric alone is hardly likely to get Chelsea supporters' pulses racing.
Of more relevance will be the fact he is in the bottom 2% among his peers across Europe's elite leagues in terms of save percentage with an average of 59.5 over the past year.
Meslier declaring himself interested in a move to Chelsea – or at the very least not ruling it out for now – is not to say the Blues actually have a concrete interest in the former Lorient stopper.
But if the speculation is indeed true, signing a player described as a "liability" by Forbes writer Barry Collins would hardly be the ideal way for Pochettino to begin yet another new era at Stamford Bridge. Indeed, his would surely be his first disaster.