Leeds United legend Dominic Matteo has a clear preference for who should start in goal for the next game against Bournemouth.
Karl Darlow has been in impressive form for the Whites since returning to the side in the game against Fulham, following an injury to Lucas Perri.
Although he is yet to keep a clean sheet, the stats show that Darlow has outperformed Perri in several important metrics, following a shaky start to the Brazilian’s Leeds career.
Daniel Farke has a decision to make over whether to bring the Leeds number one straight back into his team or stick with the man who ended last season between the posts.
After praising Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s performance against Wolves, Matteo has now explained why he believes Farke should stick with Darlow as the Whites return to Elland Road in their next game.
Dominic Matteo praises the influence of Karl Darlow
Speaking to LUTV after Leeds’ win over Wolves, Matteo praised Darlow for the standard of his performances since deputising for Perri.
Comparing him to two legendary goalkeepers from Leeds’ past, Matteo explained that playing in front of Nigel Martyn and Paul Robinson had given him a huge amount of confidence as a defender, and Darlow is doing the same for the Leeds back four now.
Matteo said: “The goalkeepers are a different kind of character. No, they are. The goalies are different. And it’s hard for them. But I think what you see with Darlow is he’s just very balanced in what he does.
“He comes at the right moments. He’s collected a few really well. When the ball’s gone long, he’s come and got it – taken the pressure off the defenders. His performance again today was critical. When you’ve got a goalie like that playing very well, it helps massively.
“It’s confidence as well, for him and for the back four. You need that confidence. I can only go back from my own era, with Nigel Martyn, Paul Robinson, people like that in the sticks.
“You get confidence from the goalkeeper coming and doing what you need to do; that’s their job to come and do it, and today he was excellent again.
“He deserves to be in that team as well, and I think it’d be hard to get him out because of the way he’s playing.”
When will Lucas Perri be fit to return to the Leeds United team?
With Leeds riding high on seven points from five games to date, Farke may be tempted to stick with a winning team, even if Perri is available to return against Bournemouth.
Discussing Perri’s injury ahead of the Fulham game, Farke suggested the Leeds stopper would miss at least two games, which he has now done.
However, after Darlow caught the eye against Fulham, the Leeds boss suggested that the Welshman’s form meant he would not need to rush Perri back into the side.
As a result, Darlow may well retain his place in the side against Bournemouth. All eyes will be on Farke’s press conference later in the week for an update on Perri’s return.
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