Blogs

Bielsa must put faith in 22-yr-old Leeds player after latest report

|
Image for Bielsa must put faith in 22-yr-old Leeds player after latest report

OPINION

Leeds United manager Marcelo Bielsa needs to place his trust in goalkeeper Bailey Peacock-Farrell next season amid reports over the future of fellow keeper Kiko Casilla.

According to a report from the Yorkshire Evening Post, Casilla, who only arrived at Elland Road from Spanish giants Real Madrid in January, might need to be moved on by the Whites due to his high wages after Bielsa’s side missed out on promotion last season.

That would mean that there would be an opportunity for Peacock-Farrell to re-establish himself as Leeds’ number one goalkeeper heading into next season.

The 22-year-old started last season as Bielsa’s first choice goalkeeper, with Jamal Blackman who arrived on loan from Chelsea last summer failing to impress the Argentine due to him being deemed not fit enough to start for the Whites.

Peacock-Farrell enjoyed a largely promising first half of the campaign, as Leeds managed to secure top spot in the Championship table heading into the second half of the season.

The Northern Ireland international averaged two saves, 1.3 of which were made from attempts from inside the area, per game [whoscored.com] in his 28 Championship appearances last term, which is slightly more than Casilla managed with the Spaniard averaging 1.9 saves per match [whoscored.com] last season.

However, Peacock-Farrell endured a dip in form during the Christmas period and that prompted Bielsa to make the move for Casilla, as the Argentine aimed to guide the Whites to automatic promotion.

The 22-year-old has suggested that he could be willing to leave the club if he is not given more regular game time next term according to the Yorkshire Evening Post, which would be a big blow to Bielsa’s plans.

Leeds’ form since the introduction of Casilla in January dipped and Bielsa’s side ended up missing out on automatic promotion, before being beaten by Derby County in the Championship play-offs, with the Spaniard making a high profile error to allow Derby back into the second leg at Elland Road.

That suggests that Leeds could be better served giving the first choice goalkeeper position back to Peacock-Farrell, who is out of contract next year with the Whites believed to be keen on offering him an extension, according to the Yorkshire Evening Post.

Bielsa could be needing to remove some of Leeds’ highest earners this summer after missing out on promotion, and should place his trust back in Peacock-Farrell next season if the club are forced to sell Casilla this summer.

Share this article