OPINION
Leeds fans should hear some good news later on Wednesday, with Real Madrid goalkeeper Kiko Casilla due for a medical ahead of a reported 18-month deal at Elland Road.
He was spotted at the airport on his way to Leeds last night.
https://twitter.com/RMadridHome_/status/1085274776418037763
Leeds fans might not know much about him, but there’s one man who does.
Respected Sky Sports journalist Guillem Balagué is an expert on Spanish players but he’s also a big Espanyol fan.
Casilla spent eight years at Espanyol and Balague had a lot to say about him ahead of his Leeds transfer – all good.
Talking on the latest episode of the Inside Elland Road podcast, he said, “He’s perhaps the first generation of Spanish goalkeepers who are complete players. In my mind he was one of the early ones who seemed comfortable playing with the ball, especially with his right foot.
“You’ll see him in the line-up soon. He’s intelligent, he knows what the team requires. He made it to the national side, I’d say he’s one of the top five Spanish keepers. If he hadn’t taken the comfort route of Real Madrid he would be playing for a top-five Spanish side.”
A goalkeeper who would grace a top-five Spanish club. A goalkeeper with three Champions League winners medals.
It’s obvious that Leeds are doing business with an eye to the Premier League. Casilla is a goalkeeper they are buying with one eye on promotion and another on the Premier League next season.
It’s never good to count your chickens but it’s essential that Leeds plan for the future.
And in Casilla they’ve got a class player who shows Andrea Radrizzani’s ambitions.
Let’s not talk this signing down. Leeds fans should get goosebumps when he’s announced.