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Joe Donnohue slams Kristoffer Klaesson in U23s game v Arsenal
Kristoffer Klaesson was in goal for the Leeds United U-23s against Arsenal as he conceded four goals in a 4-2 defeat on Friday night.
While he generally had a disappointing outing against the Gunners, LeedsLive’s Joe Donnohue was far from pleased with his reactions for the first goal.
He made a hash of the clearance which led to Salah Oulad M’Hand scoring from long range in the 24th to open the scoring for the visitors.
In his post-game player ratings, Donnohue scored the Leeds keeper 5/10 and wrote, “Committed the cardinal sin of goalkeeping by hanging onto the ball too long under pressure from Flo Balogun. His skewed clearance fell to Salah Oulad M’Hand who curled one in from 25 yards as a result.
“Still not entirely convinced of him as a Meslier stand-in, but it’s early days.”
Worrying signs
Klaesson was signed as a relative unknown in the summer from Norway as a backup to Illan Meslier.
Usually, clubs prefer keeping an experienced keeper as backup, but the 20-year-old appeared to be coming under Marcelo Bielsa’s recommendation and some thorough scouting.
However, thus far, he’s been extremely shaky and has brought about doubts as to whether or not he’s the right man for the job.
The club could look to loan him out in the summer and possibly sign someone with some senior experience of playing in England.
Thankfully, Klaesson’s not cost the first team any points, but he needs to cut out these errors if he’s ever to get a look in by Bielsa.
The Argentine is known to keep a keen eye on what happens with the U-23s and he certainly would not be impressed by the Norweigian thus far.
In other Leeds United news, an ‘Exceptional’ Whites player is unlikely to feature v Norwich after Friday development