Lots of Leeds United fans have been left questioning Marcelo Bielsa on social media after the boss claimed that Kiko Casilla still has his backing and the support of his teammates.
Casilla’s place in goal has been put under serious doubt following the Spaniard’s recent performances, which have seen United concede 17 times in our last ten Championship fixtures.
The former Real Madrid shot-stopper has not kept the opposition at bay since our 2-0 victory at home to Hull City on December 10, when he recorded his 12th clean sheet of the league season which remains a second-tier high total.
The type of goals that Casilla has allowed in recent weeks have also caused much uproar in West Yorkshire, particularly when he allowed Said Benrahma to open the scoring for Brentford during the week by misjudging the roll of the ball following Liam Cooper’s backpass.
Former Whites striker Noel Whelan even lambasted the one-time Spain international earlier in the month, dubbing Casilla as “an accident waiting to happen“, after an error-strewn display against Nottingham Forest.
Bielsa, though, has moved to reaffirm his backing of Casilla – at least for the time being – and stated that the ‘keeper still has the support of his teammates.
Is it time that Bielsa benched Casilla?
Yes
No
“I don’t support Kiko, I support the team,” the boss said, via quotes by Leeds Live. “If supporting Kiko is supporting the team, I support Kiko. If I support Kiko, but damage the team, I will not support Kiko.
“Kiko keep the confidence in himself, he keep the confidence of his teammates.”
Here are some of the messages shared as fans reacted to Bielsa’s public backing of Casilla ahead of Saturday’s clash with Bristol City…
What does Kiko have to do to be dropped
— LUFC OZZY (@AdamOzzy) February 13, 2020
I love Bielsa but don’t agree with that. Defence don’t look like they have confidence in him.
— ChrisO’R (@ChrisOR7) February 13, 2020
How does he account for Kiko’s reaction after his mistake then? Couldn’t look more bereft of confidence if he tried.
— Joe Atherton (@joetmatherton) February 13, 2020
What about the 4 points casilla has cost us in the past 3 games? Are they reasons to drop him?
— Dani Jade (@Snowstorm1997) February 13, 2020
No, this is the reason to drop him ..
In seven games in 2020, Kiko Casilla has conceded to the first shot on target in four and the second in the other three. And in his last game of 2019, he conceded four goals from four shots on target.— Bielsa Bubb 💙💛 (@bellhouse_mike) February 13, 2020
Casilla is the reason to drop Casilla
— Gregg Irwin (@greggleeds) February 13, 2020
No getting beat at your near post twice, losing a ball from a back pass, misjudging the bounce of a ball at one down, flapping at crosses … that’s reason enough
— Post Mix Lemonade (@MMMMMNoodleSoup) February 13, 2020
No but costing us vital points is a reason to drop him.
— Kayleigh Cooper (@KaylesCooper) February 13, 2020
In other Leeds United news, the club are eying a 9-goal striker, valued at €4m, ahead of the summer market.