Marcelo Bielsa defends decision to name Kiko Casilla as Leeds United captain

Casilla wore the armband in this week’s League Cup tie against Hull City, five matches after completing a suspension for using racist language in a match against Charlton Athletic last season. He disputed the charge but was found guilty on the balance of probability. Leeds did not appeal the eight-game ban.

Despite that, coach Bielsa felt it was the players’ wish for Casilla to lead an inexperienced side against the Tigers, although he did not actually ask them.

“His team-mates think he deserves to be the captain and we have to listen,” explained Bielsa. “The players see someone who they think can represent them.”

Some fans expressed reservations about Casilla – who has not recovered first-choice goalkeeper status since suspension – captaining but Bielsa questioned if they are a vocal minority.

“I respect the thoughts of any person,” he said. “After that, opinions can be argued.

“Surely those who judge Kiko ignore a lot of things his team-mates see. I can’t deny the captain not only represents his team-mates but he also the club (so) you can’t limit myself to think about what the players’ wishes were.

“You guys may not know what percentage of the fanbase actually didn’t want Kiko as captain. The opinion of the masses should always be heard.

“We also value the conduct of Kiko which only we can judge because we are part of the group. We have to accept the decision of the authorities (but) surely the public won’t have all the information that his team-mates will have.”

When asked if he put captaincy decisions to a squad vote, Bielsa explained: “I interpret what the players think.”

Club captain Liam Cooper is expected to return at home to Fulham tomorrow having missed the season’s first two games with a calf injury suffered on international duty.

Bielsa also confirmed club record signing Rodrigo will be back on the bench having played 90 minutes in midweek. The issue is not one of fitness but integration into the team and Patrick Bamford, preferred at centre-forward against Liverpool, justified his selection with a goal.

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