Just saying the word can sometimes send a shiver down Leeds United fans’ spines. He committed a number of crucial mistakes last season because of his playing style, most notably against Sheffield United & Derby County. We’re yet to see any of those mistakes so far this season, but he did come close a couple of times against Bristol City during Leeds’ opening game.
Casilla is a good example of how modern goalkeepers are meant to be able to be good with their feet. Much in the way one of the main reasons why Pep Guardiola decided to ditch Joe Hart and replace him with Ederson Moraes, the Spaniard is more comfortable on the ball than his predecessor, Bailey Peacock-Farrell.
This was taken to a whole new level after this weekend’s game with Wigan though, as @FocusOnLeeds produced the statistic that he had completed more accurate passes during the game than any of the Wigan outfield players.
Kiko Casilla completed 15 (100%) accurate passes today, more than any Wigan outfield player (13). #LUFC
— FocusOnLeeds (@FocusOnLeeds) August 17, 2019
Now there are two ways that you can interpret this stat. You can either be quite cynical about it like these guys right here:
Pretty unremarkable stat TBH. If our play involves recycling back thro the keeper then he’s going to complete loads of 5 yd passes to CBs unchallenged by the opposition.
— Tired Old Git (@tiredold) August 18, 2019
And how many crosses did he flap at?
— Mike Watts (@chubbywatts) August 18, 2019
Or perhaps you can actually be happy about it, like these guys.
Kiko at the back! Kiko in attack!
— Aaron S (@aarons1308) August 17, 2019
Kiko is tthe most "Leeds" keeper we've had in along time. Let's enjoy the show and get off his back. He's mad. He's bad. He's ours. #lufc
— ???????????????????? ???????????? ???????????????? (@IndigoOffspring) August 17, 2019
Correct!
— FocusOnLeeds (@FocusOnLeeds) August 17, 2019
This makes me laugh ????????
— LUFCMUNN (@brownmackers) August 17, 2019
Leading the “headers” stats! ????
— BeanTownBonkers (@snb7x) August 18, 2019
One of our best midfielders!!
— Liam (@liamhall86) August 17, 2019