Judgement day is on the horizon for Kiko Casilla and Leeds United.
Indeed, Adam Pope has stated that the Spaniard’s hearing is underway, and that a verdict is expected by Thursday.
Both Phil Hay and Graham Smyth have stated recently that the most likely outcome is for the former Real Madrid man to be found guilty, and if that is the case there are going to be ramifications on the pitch.
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The 33-year-old will receive a minimum six-game ban if he is found guilty, and the most likely switch for United to make is to put Illan Meslier between the sticks.
It’s going to be sink or swim for Meslier as United don’t have an experienced third-choice in their ranks.
The Whites were planning on bringing in a more experienced player to cover for Meslier if he flopped, but his performance against Arsenal filled the Whites with enough confidence to scrap that idea. Instead, they went for 18-year-old Elia Caprile.
Whether or not that is a wise decision will become apparent in the coming weeks.
United’s options if Casilla is banned are two teenagers, and with a lot being made about Leeds’ mindset and the psychology behind their recent woes, there’s a chance that these two men won’t be up to the task of playing in such an important position at such a vital time.
Yes, Meslier is highly-rated, Chelsea and Monaco have both chased his signature in the past, but the reality is he’s only 19, and if a three-time Champions League winner has struggled to cope with the pressures lately, then it’s not out of the question that the youngster will also come unstuck.
The same goes for 18-year-old Caprile.
Perhaps Leeds’ original plan of signing a more experienced goalkeeper would have been the better option, but only time will tell whether or not United’s teenage cohort will be able to step up to the plate.
In other news, Adam Forshaw has posted an encouraging update on his injury.
