Marcelo Bielsa confirms Leeds United plan for Illan Meslier if Kiko Casilla is handed FA ban

MARCELO BIELSA has confirmed that Illan Meslier will take his place in the Leeds United net if Kiko Casilla is handed an FA ban over his racism hearing with the Whites head coach praising Meslier's level of play.
PRAISE: From Leeds United head coach Marcelo Bielsa for French goalkeeper Illan Meslier, above, who will replace Kiko Casilla should the Spaniard be handed an FA ban. Picture by Tony Johnson.PRAISE: From Leeds United head coach Marcelo Bielsa for French goalkeeper Illan Meslier, above, who will replace Kiko Casilla should the Spaniard be handed an FA ban. Picture by Tony Johnson.
PRAISE: From Leeds United head coach Marcelo Bielsa for French goalkeeper Illan Meslier, above, who will replace Kiko Casilla should the Spaniard be handed an FA ban. Picture by Tony Johnson.

Whites keeper Casilla is currently facing an FA hearing in London over alleged comments of a racist nature aimed at striker Jonathan Leko in United's 1-0 defeat at Charlton Athletic at the end of September.

Casilla - who strongly denies the claims - will be banned for several games if found guilty but Bielsa said the Spaniard's behaviour had been normal this week and that France under-20s 'keeper Meslier would come in for Casilla should he be banned.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Meslier has so far made just the one appearance for Leeds with the 19-year-old Frenchman impressing during the 1-0 loss at Arsenal in January in the third round of the FA Cup.

"It’s a situation we have to resolve," said Bielsa, asked how Casilla's hearing had affected preparations this week.

"It’s correct we adapt ourselves the way they decide to resolve this situation.

"Meslier is the option if Kiko doesn’t play. In this situation or in others.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

"When he plays the direction of him was in the level of our expectations."

Asked if he had spoken to Casilla this week and if the Spaniard was mentally okay, Bielsa said: "I did not talk with him, but I observed his behaviour and he is totally normal."

Bielsa also revealed that United had picked up no new injuries ahead of Saturday's Championship clash against Reading at Elland Road.