Kiko Casilla: "I knew the score at Real Madrid with Courtois and Keylor ahead of me"
Leeds United's recent signing also spoke about Luis Suárez's contact with Iván Cuéllar: "For me, it's a foul. You can't touch the keeper inside the area".
Kiko Casilla took a few moments out to chat to La SER's El Larguero show last night. The Leeds United goalkeeper chatted about his decision to leave Real Madrid and join Marcelo Bielsa's high-flying team in the Championship and also gave his verdict on the incident involving Luis Suárez and Iván Cuéllar during Barcelona's recent meeting with Leganés.
Leaving Madrid: "Leaving anywhere is always painful. Real Madrid is the club where I grew up. I had a short spell there then I left to join Espanyol who for me, means the same as Madrid. Espanyol gave me an opportunity to play in the First Division, made me get my first international call-up and prompted Real Madrid to re-sign me. I've really enjoyed the past few years. I've enjoyed the day-to-day routine with the professionals at the club. I always try to give my best and even more so when I have been treated so well. I have happy memories of all the clubs I've been at".
Leeds: "First of all I want to play. To enjoy my football. I've always really liked the English league. There are going to be some aspects of the game that I'll need to get used to. It was the right time to leave Madrid. I've signed for four years and I hope to see them all out".
Spell at Espanyol: "I always said that if I had to leave Madrid, I would like to go to Espanyol. Victor Orta convinced me and I've ended up here at Leeds. I'd never say I'll never go back to Espanyol".
Surplus of goalkeepers
Courtois' arrival over the summer: "I knew the score what with Courtois and Keylor ahead of me in the pecking order. I could have left in the summer and I knew that I would have to be ready and able to play for the whole of the season. Being the third choice goalkeeper isn't easy. I have played a game since August. I knew there were two options for me - allow it to affect me and get despondent or accept my role and help the team. The latter was the option I elected back then so that I would be prepared for when the chance to leave cropped up".
Keylor treated unfairly: "It's a very complicated situation. The fans really love him. He's been key to the team's successes. When he has needed to perform, he has".
Keylor knew what would happen: "I haven't spoken to him about it. I knew that there would be greater competition with Keylor and Courtois and I guess he did too".
Who would you sign - Keylor or Courtois? "Both of them. They are two brilliant goalkeepers - as they have both shown".
Cristiano: "All of us know who he is and that since he left, Madrid haven't been getting the results they want. But they have a good squad. Physically they have struggled a little but now they're starting to find their feet again. I hope they finish the season with a trophy".
Last three years in Madrid
Saying goodbye to Madrid fans: "I'd have liked to have said goodbye out on the pitch. It's been a real pleasure to wear the Real Madrid shirt. Now I'll just be another, normal fan watching the game on TV or in the stands".
Luis Suárez-Cuéllar incident: "In England, that wouldn't be considered a foul (laughs). But for me, it's a foul. You can't make contact with the keeper inside the penalty area. It's a clear foul in my opinion".
England: "When I first received the offer, I talked about it with my family and started to think it over".
Bielsa: "All of us know him from his time in LaLiga. He demands the maximum from all of his players. He has a young squad and I'm sure they are going to remember him in the future. He likes his teams to play as a team. You can see the Bielsa mark on Leeds in the way they play".
Emiliano Sala: "It's a tragedy and it's very sad for Cardiff and for football in general. Life can be very cruel and unfair".
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