BBC Radio Leeds’ Adam Pope has been discussing Leeds United’s official released and retained list on the Don’t Go To Bed Just Yet podcast, highlighting that Illan Meslier will “probably never go to a club of the same ilk again”.
The goalkeeper bid farewell to Elland Road after a seven-year spell following the expiration of his latest contract.
“His message to the fans very much reflected what we spotted at the end of the final home game,” Pope said. “He was taking it all in while sitting on the ball in the rain wearing his kit. It was a ‘this is it’ moment for him.
“This club will always be a part of him. It is the classic case of a number of players who will leave Leeds United and probably never go to a club of the same size or ilk again. It is sad for him but we wish him all the best.”
On Sam Byram, who featured in the list of retained names, Pope added: “He only made a few appearances last season, but he showed there is enough there for him to be at least a reasonable back-up.
“He still looks the part, he still reads the game really well and he is able to adapt to both sides of the pitch as well. It makes sense to add another year onto his contract and then maybe sell him for a bit more.
“This is a great club to be around at the moment. He will want to be at a Premier League club that, let’s be honest, looks like it is going places.”
On Max Wober’s situation, after returning from a season-long loan at Werder Bremen, Pope said: “He hardly played last season. He didn’t really fully recover from an injury and then he started playing again in April.
“He is still under contract so technically he is coming back to Leeds United, but he clearly isn’t wanted and isn’t rated enough otherwise they wouldn’t keep loaning him out.
“To be quite honest, I had almost forgotten about him. I don’t see him suddenly getting a chance at the club. I would be very worried if he was the second-choice left-sided player next season.”
Listen to the full podcast on BBC Sounds
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