BBC journalist responds when asked if Meslier will start over Casilla in Leeds v Bristol City
Illan Meslier is unlikely to start ahead of Kiko Casilla when Leeds United play against Bristol City this weekend, according to BBC Radio Leeds broadcaster Adam Pope.
Casilla, 33, had an absolute shocker for Leeds on Tuesday night, costing them a goal as they drew 1-1 against promotion rivals Brentford at Griffin Park.
The error-prone Spaniard has started every Championship fixture for the Whites this season but calls for him to be dropped by Marcelo Bielsa grew louder after his poor ball control led to Said Benrahma scoring the easiest goals of his career.
However, according to BBC journalist Pope, it seems as though Bielsa is likely to stick with Casilla this weekend when Leeds welcome Bristol City to Elland Road.
Pope was asked whether Meslier, 19, would start ahead of Casilla, to which he responded: “I’d be surprised if he did to be honest.”
Meslier has made just one appearance since joining Leeds on loan from Lorient in the summer when he played in the FA Cup defeat to Arsenal last month.
In that match at the Emirates, the France Under-20 international made a string of impressive saves as the Whites suffered a respectable 1-0 defeat against the Premier League side.
Leeds fans were raving about Meslier on Twitter after the match and with Casilla making errors on a weekly basis, there’s no doubt that supporters are going to want to see the French teenager start in between the sticks on Saturday instead of the ex-Real Madrid man.
However, as Pope says, it is unlikely to happen.
Bielsa is a huge fan of consistency and Casilla’s howler at Griffin Park is probably not going to have an impact on team selection this weekend.
In other Leeds United news, Barcelona star Ousmane Dembele has sent a message to Jean-Kevin Augustin after he played against Brentford on Tuesday.