SM
Watford vs. Leeds: 12 hrs 17 mins
Upcoming predictions and previews
LL
Premier League | Gameweek 19
Jan 16, 2021 at 3pm UK
Elland Road
BL

Leeds
0 - 1
Brighton


Ayling (42')
FT(HT: 0-1)
Maupay (17')
Webster (71')

Marcelo Bielsa defends Kiko Casilla after heavy criticism

:Headline: Marcelo Bielsa defends Kiko Casilla after heavy criticism: ID:430506: from db_amp
Kiko Casilla returned to the starting line-up for last weekend's third-round tie.

Marcelo Bielsa has vigorously defended Kiko Casilla after heavy criticism of his goalkeeper's display in Leeds' shock FA Cup defeat at Crawley.

Casilla, 34, currently second choice behind Frenchman Illan Meslier, returned to the starting line-up for last weekend's third-round tie and was blamed by a large section of Leeds fans for Crawley's first two goals.

"I fully trust in Kiko and I will do the utmost possible to help him," said Bielsa, whose side will bid to bounce back in the Premier League against Brighton at Elland Road on Saturday.

Kiko Casilla conceded three goals as Leeds crashed out of the FA Cup at League Two side Crawley (Adam Davy/PA)

"I think that the treatment he suffered ignores the fact that he played 40 games for Real Madrid.

"Apart from whether his performances were good or bad, we forget all the things he has done to get the team promoted."

Casilla was banned for eight matches and fined £60,000 in February last year after being found guilty of racially abusing Charlton forward Jonathan Leko.

The Spaniard denied the charge and said after the independent regulatory commission's decision that he was "truly sad and devastated".

“I believe in him, his team-mates believe in him and we are close to him because we value him as a person and a footballer”
- Marcelo Bielsa

Leeds said at the time that the commission's decision had been made "on the balance of probability rather than proving Kiko to be guilty beyond reasonable doubt, which we have always believed is the more appropriate burden of proof".

Casilla has not appeared for Leeds in the Premier League and made just his second senior appearance of the season at Crawley.

"People also don't consider how he's been treated publicly given the situation that he had to go through when he was suspended for eight games," Bielsa said.

"I believe in him, his team-mates believe in him and we are close to him because we value him as a person and a footballer.

"We accept what people think of him in the media or people, but we know his past and we know his conditions and we care about him a lot as a human being."

Meslier is expected to return to the starting line-up against Brighton, while Leeds will be without suspended midfielder Kalvin Phillips.

Forward Tyler Roberts is back in contention after recovering from illness, while defenders Liam Cooper and Diego Llorente are also available.

Brighton defender Ben White will return to Elland Road for the first time since helping Leeds win promotion during a successful loan spell last season.

Leeds failed in their bid to sign White permanently in the summer, but Bielsa is ready to give him a warm welcome.

"All of us here admire him as a player," Bielsa added. "We respect him and love him as a human being.

"He was an excellent professional as well as a team-mate. I hope his career allows him to grow because he deserves it."

Leeds have confirmed 19-year-old striker Ryan Edmondson has joined Sky Bet League One side Northampton on loan for the rest of the season.

Edmondson scored two goals in 16 appearances for Scottish Premiership side Aberdeen while on loan there before returning to Leeds earlier this week.

amp_article__430506 : Database Data restored...  : 
last updated article - 2021-01-14 16:08:53:
html db last update - 2021-03-11 18:03:13 :

ex - 7200 : read : read cache amp html
Read more!

Click here for more stories about Kiko Casilla

Click here for more stories about Leeds United

Share this article now:
Recommended Next on SM
Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Leeds UnitedLeeds38257670284282
2Leicester CityLeicester37264774334182
3Ipswich TownIpswich38249580493181
4Southampton36227773472673
5West Bromwich AlbionWest Brom381991059362366
6Norwich CityNorwich381871369541561
7Hull City371610115346758
8Coventry CityCoventry3715121059431657
9Preston North EndPreston37168134954-556
10Middlesbrough38166165352154
11Cardiff CityCardiff38165174351-853
12Sunderland38146184845348
13Watford381212145351248
14Bristol City38138174245-347
15Swansea CitySwansea381210164858-1046
16Millwall381110173650-1443
17Blackburn RoversBlackburn38119185164-1342
18Plymouth ArgylePlymouth381011175462-841
19Stoke CityStoke38118193553-1841
20Queens Park RangersQPR381010183650-1440
21Birmingham CityBirmingham38109194259-1739
22Huddersfield TownHuddersfield38815154261-1939
23Sheffield WednesdaySheff Weds38115223061-3138
24Rotherham UnitedRotherham38311243077-4720
Scroll for more - Tap for full version


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.



. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .