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Leeds United goalkeeper Illan Meslier has claimed he’s pleased with his individual form at the beginning of the season, but recognises he needs to continue it over the course of the entire year.

After becoming the club’s first-choice goalkeeper in the second half of last season, the 20-year-old has retained the gloves for the start of the top-flight campaign.

Marcelo Bielsa’s side have conceded nine goals in their opening five Premier League games, but it could have been far more if not for their strong performer in goal.

Meslier had never played any senior football in the top-tier until September, but he’s settled extremely quickly on the elite stage and has showed off his great shot-stopping abilities.

The French youngster has given his verdict on his own start to the season and admitted he’s not getting carried away after some decent display.

“I need to have my level with the team and my teammates and for now it is okay,” Meslier said.

“But the Premier League is 38 games, so I need to perform for 38 games. I’ve had a good start, but I know the most difficult thing is to perform game after game at a high level.

“Every team is difficult with good strikers and it’s important for me and the defence to not concede goals.”

TBR’s View:

Meslier, who joined on a permanent basis in the summer for £5million (Yorkshire Evening Post) from French side Lorient, is becoming such a reliable figure at Elland Road at a young age.

The Yorkshire giants still need to find a way to become more resilient at the back, but it looks like that’s beginning to happen after conceding just two goals in the last three league fixtures.

Meslier is a colossus goalkeeper that is huge in stature when it comes to demanding his penalty box and gathering crosses, plus he’s brilliant at making reflex saves and making himself big.

It’s vital that he’s comfortable in possession too for Bielsa’s style and quite often passages of play will start with his accurate knock to a full-back high up the pitch.