Journalist Graham Smyth has issued the latest update about the situation of Leeds United goalkeeper Kiko Casilla recently.
Smyth was recently conducting a Q&A session on the Yorkshire Evening Post’s website and was asked about many things such as promotion prospects, Jean-Kevin Augustin and Marcelo Bielsa’s future at the club.
Smyth was also asked about Casilla’s situation at Elland Road, with a fan asking where the goalkeeper’s future currently lies. When responding to this, Smyth suggested that a summer move is ‘likely’ for the former Real Madrid man and that he can’t see Casilla displacing Illan Meslier as Leeds’ number-one ‘keeper.
Here’s what Smyth had to say in full: “I cannot see Meslier being displaced by Casilla at such a delicate point in the season. It would surprise me greatly, not just because Meslier has been solid enough, but because of the baggage now attached to the Spaniard. Bielsa said on Saturday that Leeds pay dearly for every distraction and that, I believe, is what Casilla would be given the events of this season. I think a summer move is likely.”
Should Leeds part ways with Casilla?
Yes, he should leave
No, we should keep him
Clearly, Casilla could indeed be on his way out of the Yorkshire club and Smyth believes his time might already be up at Elland Road.
TIF Thoughts…
Casilla, who is valued at £1.8 million, was banned from football for eight matches after being found guilty of racially abusing Jonathan Leko in a game earlier this season. Before the ban came in place, the Spaniard had made 35 Championship appearances for the Whites, while in all competitions, he managed to keep 16 clean sheets (via Transfermarkt).
This shows that while he was a regular and can still do a job between the sticks, it seems his ban will inevitably put his Leeds career on hold. His current deal at Elland Road expires in the summer of 2023, so Leeds may still a fair price from a potential sale. Therefore, letting him go at this point may not be a bad idea.