According to The People (17/11 Via Leeds Live), Leeds United are interested in signing Birmingham City stopper David Stockdale.
These reports are easy to believe as this isn’t the first time that United have shown an interest in the former Brighton goalkeeper, and the last time the Yorkshire club showed an interest in him fans were rather excited by the idea.
However, is signing Stockdale still a good idea two years on?
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The goalkeeper has undoubtedly declined quite a lot since leaving Brighton as he’s fallen down the pecking order at St Andrew’s to the point where he was sent out on loan to Southend United in League One.
He didn’t fare all that well in the division, conceding five goals in three appearances.
Leeds may need a goalkeeper in the near future as Kiko Casilla faces a lengthy ban if he is found guilty of racially abusing Jonathan Leko, but is the 34-year-old the right man for the job?
We asked our team of writers to give their verdicts on Leeds potentially signing the goalie.
Lewis Blain
“Leeds can do no wrong with the signing of David Stockdale. It seems more than likely that Kiko Casilla is faced with a lengthy ban for racial abuse. The depth behind their number one is scarily short and ultimately hugely inexperienced with Illan Meslier and Kamil Miazek. Stockdale resolves both issues.
“He has played 234 times in the Championship, where he has also kept 72 clean sheets. As a two-time runner-up in the division, he knows exactly what is required to succeed which will aid Leeds’ ambition to return to the top-flight at long last.
“This could be potentially season-defining. Casilla has contributed so greatly to Marcelo Bielsa’s side possessing the best defence in the league, this ban could seriously scupper that and in turn damage their quest for the Premier League.
“Having a man that’s been through it all as backup and soon to be likely number one just makes the world of sense.”
Vijievan Jeevathayalan
“A move for David Stockdale sounds like a no-brainer. Leeds are facing the very real prospect of first-choice goalkeeper Kiko Casilla being out for a number of games, and asking a 19-year-old in Illan Meslier to step up, is risky business indeed.
“Marcelo Bielsa’s side desperately need an experienced option who can be an effective stop-gap until Casilla eventually makes his return, and Stockdale certainly fits the bill.
“The 34-year-old has been around the proverbial block and has even made 39 appearances at Premier League level in his long career.
“Signing him would reassure the Leeds back-line that they have a reliable shot-stopper behind them, and allow the rest of the team to focus on the main objective at hand: promotion. It’s a move that makes perfect sense.”
Jonathan Radcliffe
“There are arguments both for and against Stockdale moving to Leeds. On the good side, he is an accomplished shot-stopper with plenty of experience.
“He has a career average save percentage of 71.3%, which is not to be sniffed at, whilst he also has a number of Premier League appearances to his name.
“However, Marcelo Bielsa places a lot of emphasis on building from the back, as you can see with Kiko Casilla’s 76.6% pass accuracy. Stockdale, meanwhile, has never managed above 63.5% in a campaign and, considering his age – he is 34 – it is likely far too late to teach this old dog new tricks.
“All in all, Bielsa and co should swerve this deal. There are better all-round options out there that would jump at the chance to move to Elland Road.”
Charles Jones
“I think that Leeds shouldn’t even be thinking about signing David Stockdale.
“The Blues goalkeeper has declined at an unbelievable rate over the past few seasons to the point where he can’t even get in the Birmingham team over Lee Camp.
“His performances declined to the point where he actually had to apologise to Birmingham City supporters after conceding five goals against Brentford, and if you dig out the highlights from that game you’ll see that an apology simply wasn’t good enough. Stockdale could cost Leeds points on his own, so they should steer well clear of signing the 34-year-old stopper.”
