Former Chelsea coach Christophe Lollichon has revealed he urged the Premier League side to sign Illan Meslier before the goalkeeper moved to Leeds United in 2019.
The 22-year-old came up through the ranks of FC Lorient’s youth system and made his first team debut in 2018. His displays had convinced Lollichon to bring him to the west London club.
Chelsea decided against making an approach and it allowed Leeds United to swoop in for the stopper. The Whites initially signed the Frenchman on loan and made his stay permanent in 2020.
Lollichon was the Blues goalkeeping coach from 2007 to 2016, and then worked as the goalkeeping scout at Chelsea until last summer. He appeared as a guest on After Foot, discussing who could become France’s No.1 following Hugo Lloris’ international retirement.
Lollichon is of the belief the Leeds goalkeeper is in contention. When discussing Meslier, the coach talked about his suggestion for Chelsea.
“I really appreciate the qualities of Mike Maignan, because if he is appreciated in Italy it is precisely because he is a different goalkeeper from the others,” he said.
“And there you have around Mike Maignan, boys like Brice Samba as example. Or Illan Meslier. It’s been almost three years since he started in the Premier League. He’s not far from being my future number 1 with the Blues, he has so many qualities.
“I discovered this kid with Regis Le Bris, when he was reserve coach at Lorient. I followed him for two years, I wanted to bring him to Chelsea.
RMC Sport state Meslier didn’t end up at Chelsea because of the managerial changes at the club.
