Guillem Balague has given Leeds United supporters an insight into what they can expect from their first signing of the January transfer window.
Real Madrid goalkeeper Kiko Casilla is due to have a medial at Thorpe Arch after flying to England to complete the move, reports the Yorkshire Evening Post.
The 32-year-old will move to Elland Road to compete with Bailey Peacock-Farrell to be the man between the sticks for the remainder of the campaign.
xpertBalague described the soon-to-be former Real Madrid man as one of the ‘top five goalkeepers in Spain’ on the Inside Elland Road podcast via the Yorkshire Evening Post as the deal edges ever closer.
La Liga expert Balague took time out to talk to the podcast’s host Phil Hay to explain to Leeds fans what they can expect from the goalkeeper upon his arrival and how explained his attributes ahead of the deal being finalised.
In an interview with the Inside Elland Road podcast Balague had this to say on Casilla:
“He’s a very good shot stopper, quick on his reactions and saved them a lot of points and become a hero.
“Eventually Real Madrid needed him as a number two, and he went back home.
“He’s the first generation of Spanish goalkeepers that are complete players, complete goalkeepers.
“He was one of the early ones, in my mind, that seemed comfortable playing with the ball, especially with his right foot – anticipating actions, he wasn’t a reactive keeper – but a proactive one.”
Balague added: “He was strong enough in aerial balls, but I feel that every goalkeeper that comes to England that is what they need to get used to
“Where it is a foul anywhere in the world, referees do not give it as a foul, especially in the six-yard box so he will have to get used to that.
“Tactically he is intelligent and knows that the team requires and adapts to that very well
“He made it to the national side, all the goalkeepers Kep, De Gea, are ahead of him but he is one of the top five Spanish goalkeepers
“He decided to go for the comfort zone of Real Madrid, but if he hadn’t been, he would have been a regular for one of the top five teams in Spain.”
The verdict
It all sounds pretty good if you are of a Leeds persuasion.
But that is how Casilla has done in Spain, with England being an entirely different proposition.
The words coming out of Balague’s mouth are impressive, and he had done well to talk up the 32-year-old.
Leeds fans should certainly be excited at the calibre of player they have coming in.
And if Balague is correct in his views on the Real Madrid man, then the Elland Road faithful could have one hell of a goalkeeper on their hands heading into the second half of the season.