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Journalist Dean Jones has claimed that the Chelsea team has been "unfit" all season but Mauricio Pochettino will fix that.

What will Mauricio Pochettino change at Chelsea?

It's a season that started with Thomas Tuchel in charge, that will end in mid-table obscurity under Frank Lampard (via Graham Potter) with a new man set to take over in the summer.

In other words, it's been a disastrous campaign for the Blues but with just three Premier League games to go, they have at least taken on big step towards improvement.

Indeed, it looks as though Pochettino will be at the helm next season, but he'll certainly have plenty of issues to address right away.

Notably, he'll have to trim the bloated squad and also restore confidence in those who have been at the heart of this chaotic mess in recent months.

What's more, while talking on the Chasing Green Arrows podcast, Jones revealed that the squad's fitness has been a major problem too but the 51-year-old won't stand for that.

The insider explained (45:29): “One of the big talking points that we made – and it's because we get told it by people in and around Chelsea – this Chelsea team are unfit.

"I don't mean unfit as in I am unfit. Obviously, like I couldn't play in the Premier League. This team cannot be intense for 90 minutes, they cannot press properly. They don't have the legs that it takes to be up there challenging anymore.

“And that will change under Pochettino 100 per recent. But it's something that has been a recurring problem throughout this season. It's been brought up several times about the fact that the levels just aren't there.

"It goes all the way back to the summer, when Tuchel was really annoyed at Chelsea's preseason plans and said he wasn't getting enough time with them at the training ground, he wasn't happy with their preseason plans. They never recovered from it."

How does Pochettino make his teams fit?

If you go back to pre-season, it's not hard to see why Tuchel wasn't happy as Chelsea were thumped by Arsenal 4-0 in a game that foreshadowed the campaigns both teams were set to have.

Pochettino will no doubt hope to address this issue straight away and The Telegraph have already reported that his new players could be in for gruelling training sessions.

On top of that, former Southampton player Rickie Lambert told TalkSport what it's like to work under the Argentine, saying: "He pushes you in training so much that match days feel like a rest."

While that may sound daunting for the squad, it also sounds like exactly what they need if they are to succeed next term.

To appreciate the full perfection of this day’s cricket, it may be useful, just for a moment please, to recall this ground in December: the grass is tussocky and barely green at all; the outfield is marked out for junior football games

Paul Edwards at Southport18-Jul-2016
ScorecardLuke Procter raises his bat to a century – and so much more•Getty ImagesTo appreciate the full perfection of this day’s cricket, it may be useful, just for a moment please, to recall this ground in December: the grass is tussocky and barely green at all; the outfield is marked out for junior football games; there are dishcloth skies and lowering dusks; and crows are perched in the bare balsam poplars like black commas, punctuating the winter.Now a Monday in July and summer is suddenly emerging from grey bedragglement. The sycamores at the Grosvenor Road End stand as if saluting its tardy arrival In the middle Haseeb Hameed and Luke Procter are building the 114-run partnership that will take Lancashire into the lead. From the direction of Harrod Drive, Ben Stokes is running in, determined to win the game for Durham and prove his fitness for the Manchester Test. But for all that Stokes and Borthwick may be in the selectors’ minds, this is not an international occasion. It is Lancashire and Durham badges which proliferate along with those of fine local clubs: Ormskirk, Fleetwood Hesketh, Sefton Park.Then Hameed, having taken 14 runs off a frolicsome four balls from Graham Onions and passed fifty for the sixth time in 15 innings this season, arches back but can only fend a fearsomely nasty short ball from Stokes to the substitute fielder, Jeremy Benton – almost a utility cricketer? – at third slip. Hameed, his sadness momentarily infinite, troops off without waiting for Rob Bailey’s finger. He receives a warm round of applause and the crowd settles again. Blue pastels and panamas are almost a uniform in the marquees. Petersen opens his account with a swept four off Borthwick, who is getting ever more joy from Grosvenor Road. There is a rattle of crockery as lunchtime approaches.Dreams may, indeed, take their time to arrive and be gone in a casual glance but that is no reason not to enjoy the reverie, be it a day at the cricket or the scent of a once-familiar perfume. Decembers come soon enough.But this day held its flawlessness through the afternoon session and on into the evening. A sip of Manzanilla before lunch Petersen was leg before to Borthwick when attempting to force the ball to leg and that dismissal heralded a Durham fightback on the resumption. Bowling from the Harrod Drive End, 19-year-old Adam Hickey, he of Benwell Hill CC, took his first Championship wickets when Steven Croft underclubbed a drive to Borthwick at mid-on and Karl Brown prodded him to Keaton Jennings at short-leg. Poor Brown is struggling badly at the moment and it is sad to see. .Those reverses left Lancashire with a lead of just 121 and only five wickets in hand but Tom Moores proved his mettle first by driving his ninth ball, bowled by Borthwick, for six and then by accompanying Procter to his second century of the season. Frankly Lancashire’s No3 needed all the nursemaiding that was on offer. Already he had nearly run himself out twice, once when simply dawdling and once, on 73, when his misunderstanding with Croft was unpunished thanks to Hickey’s fumble.Procter, though, is a true fighter and he has developed a method which suits him. True he crouches in his stance not so much like a fierce tiger about to pounce as an aged butler about to keel over. But like others with bizarre comportment at the wicket – Michael Yardy, Shivnarine Chanderpaul – his technique works for him and when he plays his cover-drives and pulls, the execution is as classical as Palairet could have wished. A scrambled single was called by the alert Moores and Procter sprinted to the bowler’s end before giving a little leap of joy and holding his bat aloft to all and to sundry. He had batted for four minutes less than five hours and he may have played an innings which sets up a victory.The crowd stood to Procter when he reached three figures and they stood again nine overs after tea when he returned to the pavilion having made 122 off 282 balls. They applauded as well when the details of his innings were announced over the public address system for this was a day when people seem determined to relish every good thing. One saw their point.Two overs after Procter was out Moores failed to make his ground when called for a single by Kyle Jarvis. It says something about the 19-year-old’s sangfroid during his second first-class innings that a run out seemed his most likely mode of dismissal. He had made 35 and had looked the part of a Division One cricketer. On the final day of this game, he will keep to Simon Kerrigan and Matt Parkinson on a turning pitch. Every day offers young Moores a new test, a new adventure and he looks as if he is enjoying every dashed minute of it.When Moores was out Lancashire’s lead was 196, competitive perhaps but nothing like the 250 for which Ashley Giles was looking. That was all but achieved thanks to a 27-run stand for the ninth wicket between Kerrigan and Nathan Buck and then thanks to Buck levying 16 runs off four balls from Borthwick, one of the sixes sailing over the Indoor School. Unlike the enjoyment derived by the crowd from this day, that ball is gone for over.Stokes ended the innings when Parkinson was caught at short leg but, as a bowler anyway, the all-rounder does not look quite at his fighting weight. Whether his batting is ready for the challenge of Mohammed Amir and Yasir Shah…well that, as Alan MacGilvray used to say, “is for tomorrow.”This evening spectators can smile ruefully at their sunburn and reflect on their day’s cricket. Tennis players are on their courts now but the light is still crystal-bright at a blessed Trafalgar Road. On the patio there is excited chatter and more clinking glasses as people discuss the several glories of the day. Someone is belting out “Flower of Scotland”, although God knows why. On second thoughts, there should be songs.

Chelsea are eyeing a sensational summer swoop for Inter Milan striker Lautaro Martinez.

What’s the latest on Lautaro Martinez to Chelsea?

According to Football Insider, the Italian giants are set to demand a fee of £69.5m to allow the forward to leave the San Siro.

The report also details that the Blues are set to be rivalled by Manchester United for the 25-year-old’s signature as both clubs are frantically scrambling for a consistent goalscorer.

The Argentine’s current contract expires in 2026, so the Nerazzurri are in no rush to sell, and it would be a tricky deal given his insurmountable importance to the side.

The same outlet previously revealed that the incoming Mauricio Pochettino is interested in the prospect of bringing his compatriot to Stamford Bridge.

How would Lautaro Martinez fit in at Chelsea?

The 5 foot 9 attacker has been imperious form this season and has registered 35 goal contributions in 52 appearances in all competitions.

The 48-cap international was also part of his nation’s 2022 World Cup triumph and his national team compatriot Lionel Messi once lavished Martinez with praise and said:

“He’s spectacular. He has impressive qualities. You could tell he was going to be a great player and he is showing that.

“He’s very strong, really good one on one, scores a lot of goals, and in the area he fights with anyone, holds it up, he can turn, scrap to win it all on his own. He has a lot of quality. He’s very complete.”

The £186k-per-week whiz is an effervescent goalscorer and creator – this is showcased by the fact that he ranks in the top 14% for shot-creating actions per 90 and the top 9% for non-penalty goals, according to FBref.

He could be the solution is a hideously disjointed and underperforming Chelsea frontline, which has mustered just 36 goals – the fourth lowest in the division.

With Christopher Nkunku set to join the 2021 Champions League winners, this could spell the start of a new and devastating strike force that could terrorise Premier League defences.

The Frenchman scored his 14th Bundesliga goal of the season to secure RB Leipzig a commanding 3-1 victory against Bayern Munich.

As both the incoming Chelsea star and their apparent transfer target have been in fine form this campaign, it's clear that they – as a duo – would instantly hand Pochettino a frightening frontline, one that is a considerable upgrade on the current underperforming group, in which the likes of Kai Havertz, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Joao Felix have evidently flopped.

Furthermore, with the future of the Portuguese loanee still clouded and the German's inability to function as the team's focal point, the addition of these two silky technicians could transform the West London outfit and as such, Chelsea could ensure that Pochettino instantly strikes gold upon his arrival.

Rashid Khan belted 60 off 44 balls to rescue Afghanistan from 109 for 6 to 229, and then returned 4 for 21 in eight overs to dismiss Ireland for 150

ESPNcricinfo staff17-Jul-2016
Scorecard and ball-by-ball detailsFile photo – Rashid Khan played a starring role in Afghanistan’s victory•Peter Della Penna/ESPNcricinfo LtdSeventeen-year-old Rashid Khan produced his career-best batting and bowling performance in ODIs to give Afghanistan a 2-1 lead against Ireland in Belfast. Rashid, who had played in the Under-19 World Cup as well as the World T20 this year, first belted 60 off 44 balls to rescue Afghanistan from 109 for 6 to 229, and then returned 4 for 21 in eight overs to dismiss Ireland for 150.Afghanistan’s victory, however, was marred by Ireland opener Ed Joyce’s controversial run-out. After driving the ball over extra cover in the sixth over, Joyce stopped running mid-pitch, assuming the ball had reached the boundary. Mohammad Nabi chased the ball down and flicked it back to Rashid, who then threw to the non-striker’s end where Yamin Ahmadzai, the bowler, took the bails off with Joyce mid-pitch, having assumed the ball was dead.The on-field umpires – Alan Neill and C Shamshuddin – asked Afghanistan captain Asghar Stanikzai to withdraw the appeal, but he refused to do so. There was no TV umpire for the game, and the wicket led to an exchange between Ireland captain William Porterfield – who was also batting at the time – and the Afghanistan players.Speaking after the match, Porterfield confirmed that Joyce had thought the ball crossed the rope. “We ran past each other, he [Joyce] said he pretty much saw him [Nabi] pass the rope, flick it back,” Porterfield said. “The fielder comes back and says he didn’t. I don’t know what footage is out there of [this]. The umpires said they are going on his word, and this is as far as it goes for me.”Four overs after Joyce’s dismissal for 12 off 21 balls, Porterfield was run out as well, for 16 off 27 balls. Rahmat Shah, who had earlier laid the foundation for Afghanistan with 48 off 70 balls, then removed Sean Terry and Stuart Poynter to reduce the hosts to 67 for 4 by the 18th over. Kevin O’Brien and Paul Stirling threatened a recovery with thirty-something each, but Rashid, the legspinning allrounder, sliced through the middle and lower order. Wicketkeeper Mohammad Shahzad was involved in three of those dismissals. Ireland lost their last six wickets for only 20 runs.They had started well with seamer Peter Chase having Noor Ali Zadran, who had replaced Javed Ahmadi, nicking behind for 10. Shahzad, coming off three successive half-centuries, flickered only briefly on Sunday, holing out to deep square leg off Stirling for 22.When Samiullah Shenwari and Stanikzai exited in successive overs, Afghanistan had slipped to 84 for 4 in the 21st over. Ireland’s bowlers tightened the screws by delivering 53 boundary-less balls, a sequence broken by Nabi flat-batting a four off seamer Tim Murtagh. Najibullah Zadran had fallen in the dry spell, and Rahmat edged behind soon after it ended, leaving Afghanistan teetering on 109 for 6.Nabi and Rashid then came together to add 54 for the seventh wicket and revive their side. That was followed by an unbroken partnership of 66 between Rashid and Mirwais Ashraf at over eight to the over, lifting Afghanistan to 229 for 7 on a pitch that Porterfield later admitted was difficult to score on.Rashid, who was dropped on 17 and 34, got to his maiden international fifty, which included five fours and two sixes. Terry spilled the first chance of his, parrying the ball to the cover boundary, while Murtagh fluffed the second.Porterfield said the fielding lapses cost Ireland on a surface that assisted spin. “Just under 200 on that pitch would have been about par,” he said. “I think that, putting those couple of chances down… you’re probably looking at 175-180 [if those catches were taken], which I think is pretty chaseable regardless of the [pitch]. We’ve done it [drop catches] a couple of times now in game where we’ve been just a wicket or two behind. Difficult to claw back from there.”With the first ODI of the series being washed out, Afghanistan cannot lose this series now. The final ODI will be played on July 19, at the same venue.

Liverpool are interested in signing all three of Alexis Mac Allister, Mason Mount and Ryan Gravenberch this summer, according to reliable journalist Neil Jones.

Will new midfielders arrive at Liverpool?

It is no great secret that the Reds will be looking to strengthen significantly in the middle of the park ahead of next season, with that area of the pitch proving to be problematic throughout 2022/23.

Having previously been the team's engine room, it has been far too easily to get through this term, with age catching up with certain individuals and the rest of the team struggling because of it.

Liverpool have been linked with a host of signings, and while Jude Bellingham has been the most high-profile, it has been made clear that the club aren't willing to blow most of their summer transfer budget on one player, despite his enormous talent.

Instead, it is vital that at least two or three new midfield faces arrive in the upcoming summer transfer window, in order to transform the Reds' midfield and make it a force again.

Could Reds secure triple signing?

Mac Allister, Mount and Gravenberch have arguably emerged as the most likely additions in recent weeks, and taking to Twitter, Goal's Jones said that the trio are indeed "very much on the agenda":

"Alexis Mac Allister, Mason Mount, Ryan Gravenberch very much on the agenda."

If Liverpool could bring in all three of those individuals, it would certainly represent a positive window, considering the youth and quality they would bring to the squad. Mac Allister has excelled for Brighton all season, scoring ten times in the Premier League, and his intelligence and class could make him an instant hit at Anfield.

While Mount hasn't had his best season for Chelsea, he is still a top-quality player with 36 caps for England, and Gravenberch has been considered one of Europe's brightest young midfielders for a number of years now.

It could certainly be argued that a true defensive midfielder is also required at Liverpool, however, given Fabinho struggles, with these three players at their best in more attack-minded No.8 roles. If the Reds could bring in Manuel Ugarte, for example, it would be the icing on the cake, although whether the funds are there to sign four midfielders is certainly up for debate.

Azhar Ali made his second century in two innings as they eased to 363 for 5 while Misbah-ul-Haq spent useful time in the middle albeit against a weakened Sussex attack

Andrew McGlashan at Hove08-Jul-2016
ScorecardThis was a gentle day by the seaside for the Pakistanis. Azhar Ali made his second century in two innings as they eased to 363 for 5 while Misbah-ul-Haq spent useful time in the middle albeit against a weakened Sussex attack.Azhar, who reached his hundred from 205 balls, and Younis Khan added 125 for the third wicket. Azhar then put on a further 146 with Misbah; their three-figure stand came up when the Pakistan Test vice-captain swept a six over the roof of the pavilion at square-leg. The over-rate for the day was so good that the innings was only one short of the mandatory 100 overs by stumps.Sussex had only returned home at 3am following last night’s T20 match against Glamorgan in Cardiff, so the five players from that fixture who were named in this XI could be forgiven for being a touch bleary-eyed.One of those who did not make the trek to Wales and back was debutant Jofra Archer, a former West Indies Under-19 allrounder with a British passport who is aiming to secure a full-time contract with Sussex, and he enjoyed a memorable first day in first-class cricket, finishing with 4 for 49 in a wholehearted display of nippy seam bowling. “I hope I’ve put my foot in the door,” he said. “The coach said just enjoy it, but I was a bit nervous.”A telling part of the day came early on and reinforced that England will view Pakistan’s opening pair as a weak link to target. Shan Masood became Archer’s maiden first-class wicket when he struck with his 11th ball, finding a touch of extra bounce as he slanted the ball across the batsman to take the outside edge.Archer’s morning got better when he trapped Mohammad Hafeez, who had been dropped on 15, playing across a full delivery. This meant that Hafeez’s first three innings on the tour had failed to produce a substantial score or substantial time in the middle.Pakistan would have been 53 for 3 had Azhar been taken low at second slip by Harry Finch, the drop denying club debutant, Abidine Sakande, a wicket. It was not, though, a day without good news for Sakande, who found out he had achieved a 2:1 in a Human Science degree from Oxford University.Younis escaped an inside edge past the stumps off Ajmal Shahzad before reaching double figures, but he and Azhar soon settled against bowling that, from the seamers other than Archer, veered far too frequently into the pads.A lapse in concentration, or the feeling that enough was enough, appeared the likely route to a wicket and so it proved during the afternoon session when Younis advanced at Danny Briggs but only picked out mid-off.During their innings, Younis and Azhar both passed milestones: 16,000 and 8,000 first-class runs respectively. That the junior partner has half felt quite apt; sooner rather than later the baton will be passed as the fulcrum of Pakistan’s batting.Azhar’s average outside of Asia is 28.70 compared with 52.36 in UAE, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh combined but he has the defensive technique to withstand England’s bowlers. This is a tour for him to cement his senior standing in the batting order in conditions he has found less comfortable.He was dropped again on 57 at deep mid-off, then on 72 an outside edge ran fine of first slip. He eventually brought up his century after tea with his 16th boundary from 205 balls.Misbah was not entirely convincing to begin with but in the final session settled into his familiar block-and-bash mode against the spinners as Briggs and Will Beer operated in tandem. He skewed one lofted shot against Briggs over mid-off then started to pick off Beer: it was a shame a young legspinner only bowled seven overs in the day, they have to bowl to learn. Misbah’s fifty came off 65 balls when he swept Briggs for his ninth four. Moeen Ali will be in for a challenge if he has to bowl extended spells during the series.Sussex took the new ball as soon as it became available and in the fourth over, Archer claimed his third wicket of the day when Misbah padded up to a ball that would have taken off stump. Archer struck again when Azhar was late on a pull and was taken by the keeper. It is the mark of a promising bowler when his last spell of the day can be as good as the first.

Fans online have torn Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea to pieces after his terrible mistake in the club’s most recent game.

What did David De Gea do against West Ham?

The shot-stopper has been the subject of plenty of debate over the course of the season with many uncertain about his suitability to play the sort of football Erik ten Hag wants to see at Old Trafford.

For instance, journalist Jacque Talbot recently questioned the sense of handing the Spaniard a new contract, accepting that he can make “world-class saves” but insisting “Man United need to progress” beyond just that and get a keeper who is more comfortable with the ball at his feet.

The Red Devils certainly have a big decision to make regarding the player’s future and they’ve already seen an extension worth £200k-per-week reportedly turned down by De Gea as they look to sign him on a new deal where he’ll earn less than his current £375k-per-week.

Well, the 32-year-old did his hopes of getting a big offer plenty of harm on Sunday night in the Premier League when coming up against West Ham United.

Indeed, with the score still at 0-0, winger Said Benrahma broke forward and fired a tame shot at goal from about 25 yards out.

It looked to be trickling harmlessly towards De Gea but the Spaniard somehow made a complete meal of it as he fell to the ground and failed to stop the ball from crossing the line.

As per Opta, De Gea has now made four errors leading to a goal in all competitions this term, which is the joint-most of any Premier League player – he shares the unwanted record with Tottenham Hotpsur’s Hugo Lloris.

It’s safe to say fans online were rather brutal when responding to the shocking mistake. Here are some of the best reactions…

Man United fans just couldn’t seem to believe what they were seeing…

YouTuber Mark Goldbridge had claimed he feels" betrayed" as Sir Jim Ratcliffe may now by only around 50% of Manchester United.

What's the latest MUFC takeover news?

Back in February, the British billionaire was understood to have made a bid for 69% of the club – the exact amount currently owned by the Glazers. Had that offer been accepted, it would have meant the family would not be involved under Ratcliffe's ownership (via Sky Sports).

However, it has now been reported that he has made a bid which is close to 50 per cent, meaning Joel and Avram Glazer would still hold a 20% stake in Man United.

Speaking about the development on TalkSport, Goldbridge certainly wasn't happy about it all as he no doubt wants the Glazers out completely.

He explained: "I do feel a little bit betrayed by this Sir Jim Ratcliffe bid because as little as two weeks ago, we thought it was between Qatar and Sir Jim to buy the whole club.

"And literally three days ago we got this breaking story that Sir Jim couldn't afford the whole club and was going to buy 50% of it. And then he was going to keep 20% of the Glazers there and 30% on the New York Stock Exchange.

"And, you know, you're borrowing money to do that, and the debt would be there."

How much will Sheikh Jassim bid for Man United?

With this being the case, it is easy to see why some supporters much prefer the idea of Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad al-Thani taking over.

After all, the Qatari banker would supposedly take complete control of the club, removing all debt as well as adding additional capital and infrastructure investment, while seeing the Glazers depart.

However, Sheikh Jassim is reportedly only prepared to make an offer in the region of £5bn, which is roughly £1bn below the current owner's asking price.

With that being the case, the Glazers may feel as though there is not enough of a financial incentive to completely sell their asset right now, so Ratcliffe's offer may be the most appealing prospect.

After building up the belief that ownership could completely change at Old Trafford, it's likely that many fans will agree with Goldbridge in feeling concerned by this latest news.

As this saga continues to develop with twists and turns, it will be interesting to see how it all eventually turns out.

West Ham United chiefs have been 'alerted' to Ligue 1 boss Will Still as they kickstart the process of considering replacements for David Moyes.

What's the latest on Moyes and West Ham?

The Scotsman has been a pivotal figure at the club over these last two Premier League seasons, guiding West Ham to consecutive European qualification campaigns and making supporters dream again.

Moyes' side reached the semi-finals of last year's Europa League and could yet reach the same stage of the Europa Conference League this year with victory tonight against Gent.

West Ham supporters have been gifted fond memories since he replaced Manuel Pellegrini in December 2019, yet this campaign has been a disappointing one overall.

The east Londoners have fell far below expectations despite spending around £160 million last summer and a further £10.5 million in the signing of Danny Ings mid-season (Transfermarkt).

West Ham are still in the relegation dog-scrap despite picking up form of late, losing just once in their last five league games, but this won't be enough to save Moyes as the club apparently start considering replacements.

According to The Daily Mail, sources have indicated that the task of weighing who will succeed Moyes has 'begun', and there are a few candidates.

There is apparently a 'growing sense' Moyes will leave before the start of 2023/2024, with Reims boss Still firmly in the running. Indeed, West Ham chiefs have apparently been 'alerted' to the tactician who also has family ties to the club.

Still's side went on a headline-grabbing unbeaten run earlier this season, a period which seriously rose his stock in the footballing world and him one of this season's fairytale stories.

Should West Ham turn to Still?

The 30-year-old is hugely inexperienced for a job this big in England, which could count against him as the West Ham board measure their most suitable candidates.

That being said, Still has been revered for his work at Reims this season, and could even be considered one of Europe's most promising young coaches.

Newcastle boss Eddie Howe certainly thinks so, recently hailing the 'incredible' job he's done whilst calling it very impressive – explaining (via Chronicle Live):

"I'm not sure on Will's background and how he's built his career to this point but very impressive to be managing at his age.

"The success he's had has been incredible. Are managers getting younger? I'm not sure if that's a fact or not. But certainly it is a very demanding job."

Leeds United could reportedly decide to sell goalkeeper Illan Meslier in the summer transfer window to offset any finacial difficulties associated with relegation.

Is Meslier having a good season?

The Frenchman has been a key figure for the Whites for a number of years now, performing with great consistency despite his tender years. He has been the undisputed first-choice between the sticks over past few seasons, racking up 124 appearances and counting.

This season has been a struggle for Leeds, however, with their 2-1 defeat away to Fulham on Saturday lunchtime leaving them in 16th place in the Premier League by the end of the weekend. Meslier arguably hasn't been at his best during the campaign, which hasn't helped matters, with the 23-year-old making errors at Craven Cottage that sum up a hit-and-miss year for him.

His current Whites deal runs until the summer of 2026, but a fresh update suggests that he may have left Leeds well before that date arrives, following rumours he could quit the club if they are relegated.

Will Leeds cash in?

Speaking to Give Me Sport, journalist Pete O'Rourke said that Leeds may now take it upon themselves to cash in on Meslier at the end of the season:

"It's a potential exit that could happen, especially if Leeds get relegated. I don't think Meslier will want to drop down to the Championship after enjoying a couple of years in the Premier League with Leeds.

"They might be forced to balance the books if they suffer relegation. Meslier is probably one of their most sellable assets right now."

This is a tricky one for Leeds because Meslier remains a highly impressive young player with a potentially big future ahead of him, with Micah Richards describing him as "excellent" in the past. He could even be a future No.1 for France, such is his ability, which suggests that the Whites would be wise to keep him.

That being said, his form this season has been patchy as mentioned, and the club are in a strong bargaining position where they could earn big money for Meslier's services. If a huge offer came in, it could be hard to turn down – relegation may give them no other option – as those funds could be used to invest in several players and fit the whole squad ready for a promotion charge.

It is a big decision that may have to be made in the coming weeks and months, and it will only be proven to be right or wrong in the future, as £30,000-a-week Frenchman's career continues to develop.