It was a very pointed comment from Yorkshire Evening Post journalist Phil Hay, after Leeds United had dismantled Derby County, that alerted Whites fans to a big signing.
When it comes to degrees of signings, they don’t get bigger than Kiko Casilla for a Sky Bet Championship club. Casilla is a former back-up keeper at Real Madrid. A back-up who had only been relegated to #3 at the Santiago Bernabéu by the arrival of Thibault Courtois.
Now he’s signed on the dotted line at Elland Road, signed to the tune of a four-and-a-half year deal. In a way, his arrival is a big statement of intent as Leeds look to sustain their table-topping form.
Short-term, you can see current Leeds #1 Bailey Peacock-Farrell retaining his place in the Whites line-up. However, long-term you’d have to argue that Casilla hasn’t given up his place at Real Madrid to drop a level to be a back-up on the Leeds United bench.
It is a great signing for Leeds United, and one that will hopefully create a domino effect as Leeds go hunting for further targets. Whilst the news may have, initially, come via Phil Hay, the thanks for Casilla’s arrival at Elland Road belong elsewhere.
MB: “Victor Orta is responsible for the arrival of Casilla. The analysis for the compatibility of his play with our style has been done by our goalkeeping coach Marcus Abad.” It feels like a big signing he agrees.
— Adam Pope (@apopey) January 17, 2019
As Pope’s tweet (above) shows, Leeds United manager Marcelo Bielsa lays the thanks for the Casilla arrival vary squarely at the door of Leeds United Director of Football Victor Orta and goalkeeping coach Marco Abad.
Orta had a hard time of it at Elland Road last season, many fans blaming him as the bright start faded to a dismal ending, the Whites tumbling to a disappointing 13th place finish. It was visceral and vitriolic at times, Orta’s head being called for.
However, if this is Victor Orta getting it right, long may it continue.
