Sky Sports pundit raves about Leeds United’s newest signing

Sky Sports pundit Stephen Warnock believes Leeds United have landed themselves a big coup after completing the signing of Kiko Casilla on a free transfer from Real Madrid. The 32-year-old has been a proven winner with Los Blancos in recent seasons and Warnock feels the shot-stopper could make the underlining difference in Leeds’ promotion push under Marcelo Bielsa.

Speaking to Football League World, he said: “He’s one of those where pedigree is good, the club he’s coming in from is very good,” Warnock told Football League World. He (Bielsa) obviously feels he needs a goalkeeper to get him over the line and he probably feels that this is the signing that helps Leeds over the line. It’s a big signing for them, I think he’s signed a four-and-a-half year deal, so it shows their intent to him. I think it’s a good signing for both parties.”

Bailey Peacock-Farrell has done a credible job between the sticks for the Yorkshire outfit but he has been error-prone on occasions which have cost the team. Moreover, Bielsa has himself explained that the 22-year-old looks much better during training than on the playing field and such comments suggest that Casilla could don the gloves for the backend of the promotion push.

Peacock-Farrell started in goal during the recent 2-1 defeat at Stoke City but he should drop to the bench for the forthcoming fixture against Rotherham United, where Casilla may make his debut. Leeds are currently at the top of the table with 54 points and they are holding a four-point advantage over third-placed Sheffield United at the moment.

Nonetheless, their automatic promotion spot remains far from secured with the recent run of form, though they have the opportunity to return to winning ways against Rotherham. Leeds have won only one of the previous five matches across all competitions.