In light of Illan Meslier’s inconsistent play as the starting goalie, Leeds United has been linked to a transfer for Viktor Johansson of Rotherham United.
When Leeds were promoted to the Premier League in 2020, the France Under-21 international’s reputation was growing, but when the Whites were demoted to the Championship the previous summer, his play and reputation took a sharp decline.
The former Lorient goalkeeper, who signed a permanent deal for £5 million the following summer after first joining Leeds on loan in 2019, had the second-worst save percentage (59.5) in the 2022–2023 Premier League season, according to FBRef.
Because of the quantity and caliber of the shots he faced (Post-Shot Expected Goals minus Goals Allowed), Alisson of Liverpool gave up 10 goals less than was anticipated of him, whereas Meslier gave up 12 more goals than was anticipated.
The 6′ 5in stopper does not have the finest statistics in the division, despite the fact that his performances in the Championship this season have undoubtedly improved.
Bradley Collins of Coventry City leads the pack with the highest save percentage of 77.3, followed by Max O’Leary of Bristol City in second place with 76.2 and Mads Hermansen of Leicester City in third place with 74.3.
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Meslier, who has played 43 times for Daniel Farke’s team this season, is down in 18th place for save % at 68.4 among the 30 goalkeepers who have made 15 or more appearances. This shows that his league-best 18 clean sheets do not fully reflect his ability.
With Joe Rodon, a Tottenham loanee, and Ethan Ampadu in the backline, the Peacocks have the second-best defensive record in the Championship, only behind the promoted Leicester team.
Once more, FBRef shows that Hermansen has given up six goals less than projected; Carl Rushworth of Swansea City has given up five, and Angus Gunn of Norwich City has given up four.
Even though Gavin Bazunu of Southampton and Ryan Allsop of Hull City have given up 11 and 10 goals more than anticipated, respectively, Meslier has still allowed in two goals that he was supposed to stop.
Johansson, a former player for Leicester and Aston Villa who tried his hardest to keep Rotherham in the Championship but finally failed, has been linked to Leeds, maybe as a result.
But if it weren’t for the 25-year-old’s efforts, the Yorkshire team probably would have been demoted earlier.
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With 177 saves, 31 more than Birmingham City’s John Ruddy in second place, he led the league in save percentage (69), which was just marginally higher than Meslier’s total. In addition, he gave up two goals less than anticipated.
According to recent sources, Leeds appears interested in adding a new goalkeeper, and Johansson would be a good fit. The 6′ 1″ Swedish international is reportedly being watched by Sport Bladet, has a £1 million buyout clause, and Rotherham manager Steve Evans acknowledged that this might have been his final game for the team.
