This article is part of Football FanCast’s The Chalkboard series, which provides a tactical insight into teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…
Leeds United may soon be without their first-choice goalkeeper as Kiko Casilla could be punished for allegedly racially abusing Jonathan Leko during a game earlier this season.
Indeed, two Charlton players have come forward claiming that the Spaniard abused his opponent, and if he is found guilty the minimum punishment is a six-game ban.
Leeds may be able to cope during this period, but they have to pray that nothing happens to their second-choice stopper during this timeframe.
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Casilla’s replacement
If Casilla is suspended for an extended period of time, United fans can rest easy knowing that they have Illan Meslier to call upon from within the squad.
While he’s yet to make a first-team appearance, he’s shown what he has to offer for the U23s.
He denied two penalties and made a succession of top saves in a 0-0 against Crystal Palace’s youth side earlier in the season, and after that game, an opposition coach praised him for his heroics.
He’s a highly rated youngster that has been linked with the likes of Chelsea and Monaco in the past, so Leeds should have no worries if he has to step between the sticks.
However, if anything were to happen to Meslier during this period Leeds would have good reason to be worried.
Meslier’s replacement
If the Frenchman were to go down with injury or suspension during this time it has the potential to be rather disastrous for the Whites.
Kamil Miazek would be the man to step in for Meslier, and while the Pole has been decent for the U23s in recent years – as he was their number one choice when they won the PDL National title last season, recent events show that he shouldn’t be relied upon in this upcoming period.
The 23-year-old had seven goals put past him on Wednesday evening, and not only does that represent a poor performance from the goalkeeper, as he appeared to dive out the way of one shot, it will also massively knock his confidence.
With Miazek potentially moving up one spot in the pecking order in the next few weeks if Casilla is banned, this performance couldn’t have come at a worse time.
Leeds will have to pray that nothing happens to Meslier in the upcoming weeks.
