“SIGNING Him was Marcelo Bielsa’s Biggest Mistake at Leeds….” Leeds United’s £6.2m MISTAKE Had a DISASTROUS Time at Leeds Despite Earning More Than Most Players in the Squad….

Leeds United’s £6.2m Mistake: Kiko Casilla’s Disastrous Tenure

Marcelo Bielsa’s time at Leeds United was marked by excitement, promotion, and some shrewd signings. However, not every transfer decision proved successful, and Kiko Casilla’s arrival in 2019 stands out as one of the club’s most significant mistakes.

The Spanish goalkeeper joined Leeds on a free transfer from Real Madrid, but his three-year stint was marred by errors, controversy, and a hefty wage bill. Despite his experience and pedigree, Casilla failed to impress, making just 62 appearances and keeping only 23 clean sheets.

Casilla’s Leeds career was also marked by controversy. In 2020, he was banned for eight games and fined £60,000 for racially abusing an opponent. This incident led to Ilian Meslier becoming the first-choice goalkeeper, and Casilla never regained his spot.

The financial implications of Casilla’s signing were substantial. According to Capology, he earned £40,000 per week, making him one of the club’s highest earners during his final season. This translates to a staggering £6.2 million in wages alone during his three-year tenure.

To put this into perspective, current Leeds players Wilfried Gnonto and Largie Ramazani, who are integral to Daniel Farke’s plans, earn significantly less. Gnonto takes home £17,500 per week, while Ramazani earns £30,000 per week.

Bielsa’s Leeds tenure was marked by some astute signings, such as Raphinha and Mateusz Klich. However, the Casilla debacle serves as a reminder that even the most revered managers can make mistakes in the transfer market.

As Leeds looks to regain promotion to the Premier League under Farke, the club will hope to avoid similar errors. The January transfer window will provide an opportunity to strengthen the squad, and fans will be eager to see if the club can learn from past mistakes.

The Casilla saga serves as a cautionary tale for Leeds and other clubs. While experience and reputation can be attractive, they do not guarantee success. Careful consideration and diligence are essential in the transfer market to avoid costly mistakes.

Leeds United’s focus now shifts to the upcoming Championship fixtures, with promotion firmly in their sights. While Casilla’s tenure is a distant memory, the lessons learned from his signing will hopefully inform the club’s future transfer decisions.

In the world of football, mistakes happen, but it’s how clubs respond that matters. Leeds United has moved on from Bielsa and Casilla, and the future looks bright under Farke. The question remains, can they avoid similar mistakes and achieve promotion back to the Premier League?