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Regis Le Bris' message to Illan Meslier ahead of Sunderland's game with Leeds United
REGIS LE BRIS is looking forward to a reunion with Illan Meslier this evening, and says the Leeds United goalkeeper is a good example for Sunderland’s youngsters to follow as they look to make their way in the game.
Le Bris first encountered Meslier when the shot-stopper joined Lorient’s youth set-up at the same time as the current Sunderland boss was running the French club’s academy.
The pair worked closely together as Meslier progressed through the academy ranks, and Le Bris was a pivotal figure in the decision to award the goalkeeper a first professional contract in 2018.
Meslier eventually left Lorient to join Leeds in the summer of 2019 and has spent the last five seasons in West Yorkshire.
He will be between the sticks when Leeds face Sunderland at the Stadium of Light tonight, with Le Bris keen to catch up with one of his biggest successes from his days in Ligue 1.
“I worked with Ilan from when he was very young, with the reserve team,” said the Sunderland boss, who is working with his own young goalkeeper on Wearside in the shape of Anthony Patterson. “I had the chance to work with many young players, and it is always great when you see them grow up and do well.
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“Ilan is a good example of that. I know that he still has good potential to perform at the very highest level.
“Of course, the journey for any young player is difficult. You can have bad moments and better moments, but he is a good guy and a good person. I like the player, but I like the person as well.
“I will be very happy to see him, although I hope he will not do too well on the pitch and that he will have to be looking at his net to take the ball out. That would be nice.”
Having spent the vast majority of his coaching career working with young players, Le Bris finds himself presiding over a Sunderland squad packed with emerging talent.
He is relishing the opportunity to help the likes of Jobe Bellingham, Chris Rigg and Romaine Mundle develop within Sunderland’s first-team ranks, and claims the Black Cats’ young players have the same desire to learn and progress as Meslier displayed during his formative years at Lorient.
“The main point with Ilan is that his personality is very strong and open,” he explained. “That is what I like in a young player. He was always a hard worker, and that is important for a young player too.
“For a goalkeeper, he has a very good understanding of the game. If you can create a good understanding of the game, then instead of having a fog in front of you during the games, you can have a much clearer view of things and try to solve any problems that arise. Ilan is very strong on that side of the game.”
