Leeds vindicated for Kiko Casilla transfer decision this summer

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Some may have been surprised to see Leeds United give Kiko Casilla the green light to leave Elland Road on loan in the summer.

Casilla has been an incredibly divisive figure throughout his time in Yorkshire.

On the pitch, the Spaniard has struggled to silence his doubters. He has produced some outstanding moments. But he has also made a number of incredibly costly mistakes.

And of course, many felt that he should have never played for the club again after being found guilty of racially abusing Jonathan Leko in a game in 2019.

One man who never seemed to lose faith in Casilla however, is Marcelo Bielsa. And Casilla ended up starting the last two league games of last season.

So it was intriguing that Casilla – who earns around £32,000-a-week – was allowed to join Elche on loan in the summer.

And with Kristoffer Klaesson signing permanently, it does appear incredibly unlikely that Casilla will play for Leeds again.

Unfortunately for Casilla, his second appearance back in La Liga has arguably vindicated the Whites’ decision to let him leave.

Casilla made a huge mistake for the decisive goal in Sunday’s clash with Atletico Madrid.

He came off his line to try and clear a long pass from Rodrigo De Paul. However, he missed the ball completely and that allowed Joaquin Correa to score a simple winner.

Casilla error proves Leeds were right to move him on this summer

Obviously, it would be naive to pretend Illan Meslier has not made mistakes since taking the gloves.

But Meslier seems to have saved Leeds a lot more points than he has cost them. He made two fantastic saves at 2-1 down in the draw with Everton at the weekend.

Klaesson meanwhile, looks to be one for the future. Like Meslier, he arrived with plenty of first-team experience under his belt.

So it certainly appears Leeds made exactly the right call letting Casilla leave in the summer.