“It was not a good way for me to leave with the club down in the second division, I felt guilty, I had to stay and give my best”-Leeds star finally speaks out on reason for staying at Elland Road as he hopes to make up for last season mistakes

Goalkeeper Illan Meslier has told the Official Leeds United podcast that he “wasn’t good enough” last season but having stayed at the club this summer, he hopes to right those wrongs this time around.

Meslier says he felt guilty about the club’s relegation and that is not how he wanted to leave the club this summer.

Meslier, 23, was far from the goalkeeper that earmarked him initially as one of Europe’s best young shot-stoppers. Indeed, Meslier conceded 73 goals in 38 games for Leeds last term. Five clean sheets.

Following Sam Allardyce’s arrival at the club for the final four league games, Meslier was dropped for Joel Robles. The Spaniard has since left Leeds, to join Robbie Fowler’s second-string Saudi outfit.

Karl Darlow has come in from Newcastle but Meslier remains first choice. The French stopper remains first choice but admits that his form last season was simply not good enough – and has owned up to it.

Speaking on Leeds United’s official podcast, the Frenchman says he will give his best to help the club this season:

It was difficult to leave when the club is going down, because I feel guilty inside. I played most of the games and the results weren’t good. It was not good for me to leave with the club in the second division. “To go and play somewhere and see Leeds in the middle of the second division and think, ‘oh no’. For me, I had to stay and give my best to get Leeds in the top two places.”

“Last season was difficult especially the second part. I wasn’t at my best level to be honest, and it is important I realise it. I want to be the best and I cannot lie to myself and say, ‘oh, it was the team’.”

Bought for £5m, Meslier still remains a top talent and at 23 – is up there among the best goalkeepers in the Championship. He is a Premier League-standard goalkeeper and his potential exceeds many others.

Hopefully, Meslier can put last season behind him and return to the level that saw him rated at north of £20m and linked with some of Europe’s biggest sides. If so, Leeds have a strong chance of promotion.