Marcelo Bielsa offers assessment of Leeds goalkeeper Kiko Casilla

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Marcelo Bielsa has insisted that he’s not ignoring the mistakes made by Leeds United goalkeeper Kiko Casilla, but explained that he’s still got faith in him and that he’s still performing well in games.

The 33-year-old Spaniard has come massively under-fire from supporters in recent matches for the level of his performances and he’s allowed individual errors to creep into his game.

He gifted Brentford a goal with a miss controlled touch in midweek during a 1-1 draw and has looked shaky during a run that has seen the Whites win just one of their last eight games.

The Yorkshire giants are still clinging on to second in the Championship table inside an automatic promotion spot and host seventh-placed Bristol City at the weekend at Elland Road.

Bielsa has confirmed (Leeds Live) that number one goalkeeper Casilla will keep his spot in the starting XI.

The Argentine boss has delivered a breakdown on his shot-stopper and has given his support to him.

“I don’t support Kiko, I support the team. If supporting Kiko is supporting the team, I support Kiko. If I support Kiko, but damage the team, I will not support Kiko. When one manager takes a decision on an important position he analyses a lot of situations,” Bielsa said, as quoted by Leeds Live.

“I want to add I do not ignore Kiko’s mistakes. They are evident. Also, it’s true the consequence of his mistakes are linked with our results, but I give importance to Kiko, in the same matches, and previous, kept confidence in himself. He continues giving the right answers in every situation in the game.

“Kiko keep the confidence in himself, he keep the confidence of his team-mates. He lost the confidence expressed in the press and media.”

TBR’s View:

Leeds have an exciting 19-year-old goalkeeper in Illan Meslier sat waiting on the bench for his opportunity and that’s going to continue at least a little further beyond this weekend.

Many felt that Casilla’s latest error against Brentford should have been the final straw, but he’s received yet more backing from his manager and his spot looks secure in the XI for now.

He turned a corner at the beginning of the season with some impressive displays on a consistent basis, but him and his defence have dropped off massively in 2020 to threaten the promotion bid.