Leeds United will be one of the favourites to move up to the Premier League next season as they managed to keep hold of Marcelo Bielsa for another season. The Whites will also need to make sure that they manage to retain their core players in this window.
Goalkeeping is one area where many might feel that Leeds United needs improvement after Kiko Casilla made some blunders in crunch situations last season. Former Leeds United striker and BBC commentator Noel Whelan recently talked to Football Insider and said that the signing of Newcastle United goalkeeper Karl Darlow would be a fantastic one for the Whites.
He was quoted as saying, ”He’d (Darlow) be a fantastic signing. An English based player, good communication, did really well at Newcastle, a player that Leeds looked at last season on loan but nothing ever materialised. He would be a fantastic signing for Leeds if we can get hold of him.”
It remains to be seen whether the Whites will approach a goalkeeper in this transfer window.
Do the Whites need a goalkeeper?
Casilla was signed with a lot of fanfare given that he had some great experience of playing at the top level. However, the Spaniard committed harakiri last season, which mainly came down to lack of communication. Bailey Peacock Farrell was also tried in the first half of the season. But he still doesn’t seem to be ready to play for a club looking to move up to the Premier League.
We think that the club should go after a goalkeeper if there is an upgrade available. Casilla’s performance from last season doesn’t instil too much confidence in us or most other Leeds United fans.
Will Darlow be a good signing?
The 28-year-old is currently down the pecking order at St. James’ Park, and he has already entered the final year of his contract. Darlow is an experienced candidate at the Championship level, and he has 19 appearances in the Premier League as well. Darlow possesses sharp reflexes, and his positioning is also impressive in between the sticks. However, Casilla is much more comfortable with the ball at his feet, and that is likely going to be a significant parameter for Biela given his playing style.
It’s tough to say whether Darlow will really be an upgrade over Casilla. If the former Real Madrid player cuts down his tendency to come off the line now and then, then he can still be an excellent option to have. It seems likely that the Whites will continue with the Spaniard in between the sticks as Victor Orta indicated that Casilla would stay at Elland Road. Hopefully, the goalkeeper sorts out the communication barrier with his team-mates by the time next season starts.
