Leeds United certainly have an interesting decision to make with their goalkeeping department this summer.
Illan Meslier has been the club’s number one for almost four-and-a-half-years now but there are question marks over whether has developed as he could have done and Marseille are reported to be keen.
This time last year, it had looked as though he was on his way out at Elland Road after being dropped for the final four matches of Leeds’ relegation season in 2022/23.
However, no deal ever materialised and Meslier continued as Leeds’ number one under Daniel Farke, who gave his repeated backing to the 24-year-old despite some more shaky moments.
Farke is seemingly a big fan of Meslier but given Leeds‘ need to sell this summer, he does represent someone who could turn over a profit, having only been bought for £5 million in 2019.
Leeds need to make move for Plymouth stopper Michael Cooper
Meslier remains one of the big name goalkeepers in the Championship, but statistically last season, he was actually one of the worst.
As per Sofa Score, Meslier was one of the lowest ranked in his position for goals prevented across the course of the campaign.
This is a stat that calculates the quality of goalkeeper’s shot-stopping performance by subtracting the number of goals a ‘keeper has conceded, from the number of goals a ‘keeper would be expected to concede based on the quality of the shots they faced.
With a total of -4.49, only five goalkeepers were actually worse than him. Given his kicking and command of area have also under scrutiny from pundits, it is quite clearly a position that could be upgraded.
And the opportunity to do so is now staring Leeds right in the face with Plymouth Live reporting Plymouth Argyle are willing to listen to offers for Michael Cooper.
Cooper has reportedly turned down the offer of a new contract at Home Park and with his deal due to expire in 12 months’ time, they now want to sell him to avoid losing him for nothing.
At 24, Cooper is actually the same age as Meslier but in terms of his career, is in much more of an upward trajectory. Many regarded him as one of the best in League One until Plymouth’s promotion last year, and the stats already show there aren’t many better in the Championship either.
Cooper actually had one of the best goals prevented totals in the division with +3.7, a stark improvement on Meslier. He was arguably the difference in Plymouth staying up by the skin of their teeth.
It is unclear how much Cooper would actually cost at this stage, but given his contract situation, it is unlikely to be more than what Leeds would be able to get for Meslier.
Former Leeds assistant Karl Robinson is a huge Cooper fan
As mentioned, Cooper was seen as the best ‘keeper in League One until Plymouth’s promotion to the Championship, none more so than by former Leeds assistant Karl Robinson.
Speaking to the Whitney Gazette back in 2022, Robinson was manager of Oxford United at the time and did not just have big praise for his shotstopping, but also his distribution and decision making.
Given Leeds dominate the ball in a lot of matches, ability in possession is also a trait Leeds would look at when it comes to signing a new goalkeeper. It appears Cooper has it all.
Robinson said: “Their goalkeeper is the best in the league, we knew how good he was. It’s not just that he makes good saves, he starts a lot of their good play.
“He picks the right option more often than not. Whether it’s quick play or slowing the game down, he does certain things that allow him to be a good player.”
