This article is part of Football FanCast’s Pundit View series, which provides opinion and analysis on recent quotes from journalists, pundits, players and managers…
Kiko Casilla’s deadline for appealing his charge of racial abuse against Jonathan Leko was on Wednesday evening, and as of yet, we’re still not sure what will happen to the Spaniard.
If he’s found guilty he’ll be banned for a minimum of six games, and Marcelo Bielsa will have a big decision to make between the sticks, but a recent Q&A session with Phil Hay indicates that the Argentine has already made his choice.
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What’s been said then?
The Athletic’s Leeds United correspondent was hosting a Q&A session on Thursday, and one fan asked about what Bielsa’s plan is if Casilla is banned.
“From what I hear, Bielsa is likely to give Meslier a chance. It sounds like he’ll go with him. It kind of fits. Last season, when BPF and Blackman were both injured, he played Huffer rather than taking an emergency signing. Granted that was a one-off game but he tends to work like that.” Hay replied.
No new signing
With Leeds being linked with a move for David Stockdale (The People (17/11 Via Leeds Live) in recent weeks this is a rather surprising update.
It seems as if Bielsa has faith in what he already has at the club rather than feeling that he has to dip into the transfer market to replace Casilla for a short period of time.
Whether this turns out to be the right decision remains to be seen, but the fact that it frees up a bit more space on the wage bill can only be a good thing as United wouldn’t have to splurge on a new goalkeeper that they don’t really need.
Meslier is yet to make his debut for the Yorkshire outfit, so this could be perceived as a bit of a risk, but Bielsa sees the 6 foot 6 stopper in training, so he must know what sort of talent he possesses.
His performances for the U23s certainly suggest he has what it takes, putting in an impressive display against Crystal Palace. He’s also saved two penalties this term.
In other news, Leeds fans have been praising one man who they believe has turned a corner