‘Would be a shock’ – YEP journo: Bielsa will pay if he names this Leeds man in squad v Barnsley
Yorkshire Evening Post journalist Graham Smyth has warned Marcelo Bielsa that he will pay if Kiko Casilla is named in the Leeds United squad this week.
Leeds welcome Barnsley to Elland Road on Thursday night and if results go their way beforehand, it could be the game in which the Whites finally seal promotion back to the Premier League.
Casilla, 33, is available for that and the remaining games this season after completing an eight-match ban for racism.
Smyth has not ruled out Bielsa selecting Casilla in his matchday squad against Barnsley but has strongly advised against it.
Writing on the Yorkshire Evening Post website, Smyth said: “Second guessing Bielsa is never advisable, yet the inclusion of Casilla in a Leeds squad at a time when the fight against racism is ramping up, on and off the football pitch, would be a shock to all, a disappointment to many and an unwelcome distraction, for which they would pay.”
Whether you agree with Casilla’s ban and the FA’s disciplinary process or not, you must agree that naming the Spaniard in the squad for any of the last three games would be a bad move by Bielsa.
Leeds are on the brink of winning promotion to the Premier League. The last thing you want is to hear pundits, journalist and rival fans blasting the club for naming someone who racially abused a fellow professional in their promotion-winning squad.
It would also be harsh on the players who have helped Leeds see out promotion at this stage of the season.
Illan Meslier does not deserve to be dropped while Kamil Miazek has clearly proven to Bielsa that he is a capable back-up goalkeeper.
Dropping either of those two down the pecking order to accommodate someone who will attract huge criticism for the club will be a shocking move by Bielsa if he does.
Let’s hope that common sense prevails and all eyes are firmly set on what the Whites are doing on the football pitch.
In other Leeds United news, Phil Hay’s update means changes are inbound for Leeds’ clash against Barnsley.