Goalkeeper David Stockdale described a move to Championship giants Leeds United as a dream but Marcelo Bielsa could make that a reality.
David Stockdale’s time in purgatory may be coming to an overdue end.
The seldom-seen goalkeeper hasn’t played a Championship game for Birmingham City since May 2018. But after 18 months stuck on the sidelines, Stockdale could finally be released from his St Andrews prison.
And where better than Leeds United for the 34-year-old to kick-start his stalling career? Stockdale was born and raised in the West Yorkshire metropolis and, speaking to Sky Sports two years ago, he admitted that pulling on his gloves at Elland Road would be a dream come true.
Fortunately, with Leeds’ goalkeeping situation looking a little uncertain, Stockdale’s ‘dream’ might just become reality.
The Mirror (17 November, page 50) reports that The Whites are in the market for a new shot-stopper with number one Kiko Casilla facing a lengthy ban for alleged racist abuse of Charlton Athetlic winger Jonathan Leko (BBC).
Casilla’s back up, Illan Meslier, is highly-rated but just 19 years old completely unproven at Championship level. The same accusation cannot be levelled at Stockdale. He was arguably the league’s best ‘keeper when Brighton were promoted two years ago.
And while Birmingham fans would happily fill up their car and make the long trip to Leeds themselves with Stockdale in the passenger seat, the veteran stopper has a point to prove and there’s no better way to silence your critics than be guiding your boyhood club to the promised land.
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