Veteran goalkeeper Rob Green joined Leeds United on a free transfer in the summer of 2016, arriving at Elland Road in the latter stages of his career.
The now-retired 45-year-old played every Championship match during his sole season with the club, impressing with his performances in goal. Green registered 15 clean sheets—tied for the third-most in the league—but ultimately couldn’t help Leeds secure a play-off spot, as they finished seventh.
At the end of the 2016/17 campaign, Green departed, leaving Leeds struggling to find a suitable replacement—an issue that continues to this day. However, this summer presents an opportunity for manager Daniel Farke to resolve the goalkeeping dilemma, with the club already identifying a target ahead of the upcoming transfer window.
Leeds eyeing Premier League goalkeeper
According to TEAMtalk, Leeds are plotting a summer move for Chelsea’s Djordje Petrovic, who is currently on loan at French side Strasbourg.
The 25-year-old joined Chelsea for £14 million in 2023 but has struggled to secure a starting role due to increased competition at Stamford Bridge. While Chelsea are not expected to entertain offers until the summer, new boss Enzo Maresca is set to assess his goalkeeping options before making any decisions.
Leeds, however, remain keen on securing Petrovic’s services, though it remains uncertain whether a deal would be a loan or a permanent transfer. Given his strong performances in Europe this season, Petrovic would be a significant upgrade for Farke’s squad, particularly compared to their current goalkeeping situation.
Why Petrovic would be an improvement over Meslier
Illan Meslier has been Farke’s first-choice goalkeeper this season, but his inconsistency has proven costly for Leeds.
The Frenchman has made several high-profile mistakes in 2024/25, including two errors in the recent draw against Swansea City, which directly led to dropped points. Similar blunders against Sunderland, Portsmouth, and Hull City have further dented Leeds’ promotion push, with the club potentially sitting in a stronger position had it not been for his lapses.
While Leeds remain in the hunt for Premier League football, Meslier’s errors could jeopardize their ambitions. Whether Leeds secure promotion or not, reinforcements are necessary, and Petrovic appears to be the ideal upgrade.
Strasbourg manager Liam Rosenior has even described the Chelsea loanee as “world-class,” with Petrovic outperforming Meslier in key metrics such as saves per 90 minutes and expected goals prevented. His superior passing accuracy also suggests he could seamlessly fit into Farke’s tactical setup, offering reliability both in shot-stopping and distribution.
Though the likelihood of a summer move remains uncertain, one thing is clear—Leeds need to address their goalkeeping situation. Whether it’s Petrovic or another target, the club’s hierarchy must back Farke with the necessary funds to strengthen the squad.
If Leeds do secure promotion, failing to upgrade their goalkeeper could prove disastrous in the unforgiving Premier League, where Meslier’s mistakes would likely push them toward an immediate relegation battle.
