A lot of Leeds United fans have reacted to a piece in the Yorkshire Evening Post about Kiko Casilla.
It seems that since the Whites let a three-goal lead slip against Cardiff City, Casilla’s form has fallen off a cliff.
Who should start in goal for Leeds against Nottingham Forest?
Casilla
Meslier
Before this match, the Spaniard had a save percentage of 82.5% and made 4.7 saves for every goal he conceded.
However, since that match, the 34-year-old’s save percentage has fallen to 44.8% and now makes only 0.76 saves per goal conceded.
He has also made three errors leading to goals while before that, he had not made a single one this season.
The first Cardiff goal scored by Lee Tomlin (1:38) has gone down as a Casilla error, as have his involvements in Jeremie Bela’s header for Birmingham City (1:40) and Wigan Athletic’s goal at the weekend. (1:07)
This new data has not gone down well with these Leeds fans. Here’s what they had to say:
Statistics make for grim reading for Kiko Casilla, but keeping goal for Leeds United isn't easy says Marcelo Bielsa. https://t.co/CzXxt5w9hW#lufc
— Graham Smyth (@GrahamSmyth) February 5, 2020
1 & 9 both not doing it costing £70-80k a week or a minimum of £3,640,000 a year…..
And we wonder why the FFP is an issue dire recruitment from Orta & Radz
— For the fans (@St_Jigzy) February 5, 2020
It’s blindingly obvious he’s not good enough. To persist with him is madness.
— mulvers (@mulvers) February 5, 2020
Don’t care if he’s played for Madrid, he’s nowhere near good enough at this level. Not had a good keeper for years at Leeds with the (exception) of Rob Green. A good keeper breathes confidence on the defence and sadly that’s lacking at the moment.
— Chris Hall (@ChrisHall841) February 5, 2020
On current form & his inability to catch the ball from set pieces its a worry.
— Jim Marsden (@jimbobm52) February 5, 2020
And here’s the thing…Kiko has the EASIEST GK job in the Championship. Just let that sink in…
— James McConnell ?? (@JimmyMacLUFC) February 5, 2020
Hopefully his ban kicks in soon and he comes back better for it. He’s been shocking recently
— thestraw (@gjengland) February 5, 2020
Don’t worry. He will still be playing Saturday.. bielsa likes stats on players, but even if they are not performing they still get played.. yes you pb!. His loyalty and stubbornness is for me a Strength.. but also aweakness!!!
— Mr P… MBE ??????? ???? (@lordofmymanor) February 5, 2020
What do we think?
This is a major dip in form from the man Victor Orta was named responsible for by Bielsa when he brought him to the club last January, and if this continues, then surely Illan Meslier will get the call?
The Frenchman impressed on his debut against Arsenal in the FA Cup, and if Casilla continues like this, then it might not be long before we see the 19-year-old in league action.