Campbell hails ‘brilliant’ Bielsa after surprise Casilla move at Leeds
Kevin Campbell has heaped praise on Leeds United manager Marcelo Bielsa for his decision to play Kiko Casilla in the final two games of the season.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the former Arsenal and Everton forward claimed Bielsa’s team selection was “very clever” given his side had already secured a top-10 finish.
Casilla, 34, was handed just his second and third Premier League appearances last week, as Leeds ended their season on a high with wins over Southampton and West Brom.
As revealed by Football Insider, the Whites are willing to let the Spanish goalkeeper go for nothing this summer to get him off the wage bill.
It is understood that Casilla earns around £40,000-a-week at Elland Road and has two years left on his current deal.
When asked by Football Insider‘s Dylan Childs for his thoughts on the decision drop Illan Meslier for Casilla, Campbell said:
“It made sense giving him a chance in the last couple of games of the season as Leeds didn’t have anything to play for.
“I think Bielsa needs to see some of these players under pressure, can Casilla handle it? You only know how good a player is when he is in a match scenario.
“I think it is brilliant management from Bielsa. It didn’t go pear-shaped, in fact it worked out for them in the end. Leeds finished with a bang and everyone looked pretty good.
“It is very clever from Bielsa, whether he was putting Casilla in the shop window or having a look at him ahead of next season.”
In other news, Whelan thrilled by latest update on Bielsa signing new Leeds contract.