Former Leeds United defender Danny Mills says the club must be cautious when it comes to their apparent pursuit of Bournemouth's Aaron Ramsdale, due to the difficulty to judge a goalkeeper based purely on their performances in games.
It was recently reported that Leeds are lining up a move for Ramsdale in the summer transfer window, amid growing uncertainty around the future of the Whites' current first-choice stopper Kiko Casilla.
Ramsdale has been in impressive form for Bournemouth this season, in what is his first campaign at top-flight level, with the 21-year-old appearing in 28 league games for the Cherries, who are currently just inside the Premier League relegation zone on goal difference.
Mills however, believes that Leeds may need to tread carefully with their interest in Ramsdale, and has questioned whether he would even be able to take the number one spot at the club ahead of Illan Meslier, who is currently filling in between the post for Marcelo Bielsa's side in the absence of the suspended Casilla.
Asked about whether Ramsdale would be a good signing for Leeds, Mills told Football Insider: “I think a move is dependent on how Meslier fares for the rest of the season. There will be plans in place for every eventuality."
Explaining why he believes Leeds would have to be careful with a move for Ramsdale irrespective of anything else, the ex-England international continued: “Ramsdale has impressed but it is difficult for Leeds to make a judgement on a goalkeeper they are not seeing in training.
"Goalkeepers make four or five saves in a game and it is not a great deal. It is difficult to see how good they really are when all you see is glimpses. A great save is not a great goalkeeper.
“Leeds have to be careful. If you go into the Premier League is he going to want to come to Leeds and not be the guaranteed number one?”
The Verdict
I do think Mills has a point here.
It does look as though Meslier's loan move from Lorient will be made permanent in the summer, which may give Leeds something to think about with regards to their interest in Ramsdale.
If they were to bring the Bournemouth man in alongside Meslier, then it would mean they have two still rather inexperienced goalkeepers within their ranks to rely upon on what likes being their return to the Premier League.
That is something that could well prove to be something of a risk for the Whites if they do indeed find themselves looking to lay the foundations for themselves back in the top-flight again, meaning you wonder whether they may be better looking to pair one of these two with a more established Premier League 'keeper.