Leeds United were proactive as they solved their goalkeeping problem before their Premier League return. At the end of the last campaign, there were huge doubts about Illan Meslier continuing as number one.
The Frenchman was benched towards the end of the season, with Karl Darlow deputizing as the Whites sealed their return to the top flight. Leeds splashed the cash on Lucas Perri, signing him from Lyon – the 27-year old is one of the most expensive goalkeepers in the Whites’ history. The Brazilian started the season well with the club keeping a few clean sheets early in the season. He did however pick up an injury which saw Karl Darlow return between the sticks for some games.
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Darlow’s performances lead some fans to believe that he should continue in goal until Perri was fully fit. But the Brazilian has returned and shown why he should be the club’s number one.
Daniel Farke defends Leeds United goalkeeper
However, despite his heroics in goal, his distribution has been a problem. Perri has not always been the best with the ball at his feet all season, and recent games have raised concerns among the fanbase. After the last game, Daniel Farke has backed his keeper despite the noise:
“What I like about Lucas Perri is that he has been involved in our clean sheets this season.”
“There is no hiding behind the fact there are things he needs to improve on.”
Lucas Perri Passing Last Five Games
Game
Passes Attempted
Passes Completed
Completion %
Brighton
26
37
70%
Forest
29
36
81%
Aston Villa
9
20
45%
Man City
23
45
51%
Chelsea
12
37
32%
“More importantly, he [is good at] stopping the shots, but we’ve spoken honestly about his distribution and that he needs to improve this.”
Gary Neville has spoken about Perri’s distribution earlier this season, and Farke defended him back then too. It seems earlier in the campaign, an injury was hampering the goalkeeper’s ability to play the ball with his feet.
Perri’s shot stopping has been key this season
Regardless of how his distribution has been, Lucas Perri has been great at shot stopping. He has made some crucial saves and kept Leeds in games. The Whites need someone in goal who can keep clean sheets, and that is exactly what the Brazilian is doing. He made six saves and prevented 0.68 expected goals in the defeat to Manchester City at the Etihad.
With Leeds shifting to a more direct style, there will not be a lot of situations why Perri will have to be perfect with his distribution. So all Daniel Farke will need his number one to do.
