Marcelo Bielsa gives clever response to question on Leeds goalkeeper Illan Meslier

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Leeds United boss Marcelo Bielsa has demonstrated his brilliant man-management skills in his pre-match press conference ahead of Huddersfield Town.

It was one of the less action-packed press conferences that the Argentine has been involved in this season, but one particular answer may carry real value.

Bielsa was asked about Whites goalkeeper Illan Meslier ahead of the weekend and if he may be targeted by upcoming opponents Huddersfield.

The 20-year-old is set to make his Elland Road debut in Saturday’s Championship fixture, with his only two previous appearances coming away to Arsenal in the FA Cup and also last weekend in the 4-0 away win at Hull City.

But Bielsa opted to reflect the spotlight away from the goalkeeper’s age and insists the opposition will only look at his skillset.

“Maybe, it’s an option,” Bielsa responded to the question of whether Huddersfield could target Meslier, as quoted by Leeds Live.

“But I’m not sure that one team make a strategy regarding the rival ‘keeper, if he’s young or not, if he’s new or what. As a manager I don’t have those ideas if I think in one strategy, like using one strategy regarding the ‘keeper of the opponent if he’s young or inexperience.

“Normally you consider more the characteristics of the ‘keeper more than the age of the ‘keeper. As manager you consider if he’s good, if he has good aerial play, if it’s difficult for him to dive at shots or not.”

The way Bielsa has deflected away from the fact that Meslier is a young and an inexperienced goalkeeper is genius, as it should really relive any pressure surrounding the individual going into the weekend.

It’s clear that the manager has big faith in the French shot-stopper, who is filling in while Kiko Casilla serves an eight-game ban for racial abuse.

Meslier has looked the part during his brief time in the first-team so far and fits the mould of playing out from the back.

He’s now preparing to face a potentially tricky Yorkshire derby and it seems like a clever answer from Bielsa regarding him.