Karl Darlow has been a standout player for Leeds United this season and has played a big role between the sticks to keep the club in the Premier League.
He started the season as the second-choice goalkeeper following the arrival of Lucas Perri from Lyon in the summer. However, the Welshman replaced the Brazilian towards the end of last year and never looked back.
Darlow has not been completely flawless as well. However, he has been steady between the sticks and has provided more confidence to the defence than Perri ever did.
The Welshman again pulled out an unbelievable save against Brighton at Elland Road, and even Peter Schmeichel was left gasping for breath at its sheer brilliance.
Peter Schmeichel picks out ‘unbelievable’ Karl Darlow moment
Just before the end of the first half, the Leeds goalkeeper pulled off a brilliant save to ensure the Whites go into the break without conceding.
A brilliant shot from the edge of the box was headed to Darlow’s left, and the Welshman was already committed to go to his right. However, he brilliantly shifted and got his fingertips to the ball to deflect it wide of the post.
During the half-time show, Schmeichel conceded that it is super hard for any goalkeeper to shift directions once they are committed to going to one side.
He stressed that it was a brilliant save from Darlow and insisted that no one realises how difficult it was for him pull off that moment to keep the scores level.
“What’s interesting about this is that it’s not hit cleanly”, Schmeichel said on Premier League Productions.
“It makes it so hard once you are committed as a goalkeeper to go one side and then you have to move to the other.
“It’s an unbelievable save. No one realises how difficult a save that was.
“Great save.”
He deserves a new contract
Karl Darlow is out of contract at the end of the season, and there are growing concerns that Leeds may already have decided not to offer him a new deal.
At the moment, though, there seems to be little reason not to keep him at Elland Road beyond this campaign.
Leeds are expected to look for a new goalkeeper this summer, while Lucas Perri’s situation is also likely to be assessed once the season finishes.
Even so, Darlow has arguably done enough to earn an extension. Given the uncertainty surrounding the goalkeeping position, allowing him to leave could prove to be an unnecessary risk.
Even if Leeds bring in a new number one, the former Newcastle goalkeeper would likely be more willing to accept a backup role again, whereas Perri appears to view himself as a first-choice keeper.
