Kristoffer Klaesson's first few months at Leeds United assessed following summer move - YEP 20/10/21
Mark Jackson says Leeds United goalkeeper Kristoffer Klaesson is adapting well to life at Elland Road.
By Joe Urquhart
The 20-year-old Norwegian shot stopper arrived in West
Yorkshire over the summer on a four-year deal to become Illan Meslier's backup
under head coach Marcelo Bielsa in LS11.
Klaesson has been a regular for the Whites Under-23s outfit
this term since making the switch from Eliteserien side Vålerenga.
Sporting director Victor Orta had been tracking the young
goalkeeper for a number of years before eventually securing his services in the
wake of Kiko Casilla's departure back to Spain on loan.
Klaesson has made nine appearances in total for Jackson's
development side so far, though has only kept one clean sheet amid an early
season leaky defence that has conceded 18 Premier League 2 goals.
The Whites were beaten 4-2 at Everton on Monday night with
United's second choice in between the posts again gaining more valuable
on-pitch minutes.
Klaesson made a fine double save in the first half in
Southport - the second of which was a brilliant palmed stop onto the crossbar
from close-range - having earlier provided a pinpoint pass forward for Amari
Miller to open the scoring against the Toffees.
His adjustment, though, will take time and understanding to
get fully up to speed as the club's number two.
"Like any new player there's a settling in period for
them," Jackson told the YEP of Klaesson's first few months.
"There's an adaptation to the way we play, particularly
for a goalkeeper coming into what could be new training methods. As with
outfield players it's a new way of playing and it's the same with goalkeepers.
"He's a player who the staff are working really hard
with to help him adapt as quickly as possible. There was a great double save
from him [against Everton] and the ball forward for Amari's goal was a pass
forward [not an aimless clearance].
"He saw it and we're pleased for him in that respect
but he won't be happy conceding four goals and we're not as a team. In regards
to him settling in, he is slowly getting used to it and he's coming along
nicely."
