QUESTION: Why is nothing ever straightforward when it comes to Leeds United?

ANSWER: Because they’re Leeds United.

I know exactly what you’re thinking right now… “those Christmas cracker jokes are getting worse every year!”.

If only it was a joke.

With Leeds having just three vital games of football remaining, it is absolutely typical of the club’s fortunes that one of their best players – Kalvin Phillips – will miss the remaining matches through injury.

Bollocks.

There is no way of hiding from the fact that Kalvin will be missed. A hospital operating theatre would struggle without a surgeon, as would an aeroplane with no pilot.

OK, I may be going a little over the top with those examples. The remaining players will cope and I see no reason why they won’t get the job done. Famous last words…

My greatest concern with the remaining games involves the goalkeeper…

You may recall my blog post from a few months back concerning the Leeds keeper, Kiko Casilla and his ban for racism. I made my thoughts on this matter perfectly clear in March.

Kiko’s ban lasted for eight matches. During this period, a young keeper by the name of Illan Meslier, filled the boots (or gloves) of Leeds’ once regular shot-stopper.

Meslier has done a fantastic job. If ever a player demonstrated they are capable of retaining their place in the team, he has done just that.

I worry switching such an important and influential figure now could potentially spell disaster.

Even more concerning is the racism cloud, which will now forever follow Kiko while he remains at Leeds.

When the ban was issued in March, George Floyd had not been tragically killed. The fantastic Black Lives Matter movement was therefore yet to explode across the globe.

Feelings against racists are incredibly raw at the moment. Reinstating a player found guilty of racism would be as much a P.R. disaster, as it would be contemptible.

I hope and pray that for the sake of Leeds United’s season – and therefore potentially future – as well as morality, that Kiko stays well away from match days.