This article is part of Football FanCast’s Pundit View series, which provides opinion and analysis on recent quotes from journalists, pundits, players and managers…
Leeds United currently have the best defence in England.
Who’d have thought that would be the case after they sold Pontus Jansson this summer? Probably nobody, yet here we are.
The Whites’ backline has improved dramatically since last season, but there may not be a more improved player than Kiko Casilla.
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The Spaniard had a poor first six months at the club as he pretty much single-handedly cost Leeds a place in the playoff final after a couple of blunders in their infamous 4-2 loss against Derby County last season.
However, he’s bounced back brilliantly since then, and he’s received huge praise from Phil Hay after Leeds’ 2-0 win against Hull City.
What’s been said then?
The journalist was hosting a Q&A session on The Athletic after United’s win against Hull, and one fan gave his thoughts on Casilla and Gaetano Berardi.
“Good game from Berardi tonight. That Casilla save was critical, as was his earlier stop from Eaves. He’s showing Champions League credentials.”
Get what you pay for
Leeds fans may not appreciate his words, but Alex Ferguson once said: “Attack wins you games, defence wins you titles,” and that’s exactly what Casilla is doing for Leeds at the moment.
Supporters were in awe of him after his showing against Huddersfield at the weekend, and he’s had even more praise heaped onto him now after another sublime showing against Hull.
Throughout the encounter, the former Real Madrid man made two saves and three claims, all while recording a pass success rate of 80%, via WhoScored.
It just goes to show how important a good goalkeeper is if you’re looking to compete at the top-end of the Championship, and with Capology stating that Casilla is Leeds’ third highest-earning player, it indicates that Leeds are finally getting what they’re paying for.
In other news, Leeds fans have slammed one man they labelled a “massive fraud.”