Exclusive: Leeds tipped to pursue two-time PL winner if they win promotion
We’re delighted to welcome former England goalkeeper Paul Robinson as our exclusive columnist. Each week he’ll be giving his views on the biggest talking points at Leeds United…
Paul Robinson has urged Leeds United to add more Premier League experience to their squad if they win promotion this season.
With nine matches left to play of the currently-suspended season, Leeds are on course for promotion as they’re top of the Championship and seven points clear of third place.
If the Whites do win promotion then they’re bound to be busy in the transfer market to upgrade a small squad that has little experience of playing above the second-tier.
Ex-Leeds star Robinson has suggested that improving the goalkeeping position should be one of Marcelo Bielsa’s priorities and has tipped the Whites to sign Burnley shot-stopper Joe Hart.
Hart, 32, has seen his career spiral since a disastrous campaign at Euro 2016 with England and has only made three appearances in all competitions this season for Burnley.
The former Manchester City number one will definitely address the lack of Premier League experience in the Leeds squad though as he has made 340 top-flight appearances and won the title twice.
Robinson can see Hart as being someone who Leeds should be gunning to sign to replace Kiko Casilla if they go up.
“It’s, without doubt, something they’ll have to address,” Robinson told MOT Leeds News.
“When you go into the Premier League, you want to put Premier League experience into that team and I wouldn’t mind seeing them doing it in the goalkeeping area.
“Kiko’s been indifferent this season and he’s got his ban. Meslier’s one of the best young goalkeepers but there’s no kind of stability there.
“Somebody like Joe Hart at Burnley. If he wanted to leave and seek first-team football elsewhere, I think he would be a really, really good option for them to look at.
“They’re going to need another goalkeeper because, as I say, Casilla’s been in and out, Meslier’s done okay since he’s come in but whether he can play week in, week out in the Premier League, you don’t know.
“Joe Hart’s somebody of that kind of ilk who could come in and prove to be a real rock if he has the hunger and desire to play.”
Casilla, 33, has been a letdown for Leeds this season.
Not only is he currently banned for racial abuse, but he has also made way too many mistakes and is likely to struggle in the Premier League.
Meslier, 20, is a great option for the future but his lack of experience could be an issue once promotion is achieved.
Hart would be a good shout for Leeds but he is bound to be a bit rusty having barely played this season for Burnley.
In other Leeds United news, Phil Hay has shared an inkling he has about Ben White’s future at the club based on recent talks.