Karl Darlow has been a name that has come into the limelight at Leeds United over the last two seasons. He was initially brought in to bring competition for the number one jersey last season.
Illan Meslier was the first choice coming into the season, and for a large part of the campaign, he showed no signs of dropping the ball. Then in the middle of the campaign, after Leeds had established themselves in the promotion race. And after a series of errors that cost the team points, Daniel Farke made a bold decision.
The Leeds boss decided to bench Meslier for Karl Darlow for the final stretch of games to end the season. And the veteran stepped in goal and delivered; keeping clean sheets on the way to lifting the Championship on the final day of the season.
Karl Darlow speaks on relegation battle
This season, the 35-year old has once again been throw in goal after the poor performances of the first choice. Lucas Perri was brought in this summer, but has been really underwhelming. Farke decided to bench the Brazilian at the start of the year, leaving Darlow as the first choice now. The Welshman has been speaking to the official Leeds United podcast about how he feels about the relegation battle.
“We felt the lowest of lows losing at Wembley in the play-off final, to then bounce back by winning the league, and then coming into a Premier League season where no team survived who’s come up for the last however many years, and looking like we’ve got a very good chance of doing that.
“It’s been an incredible experience so far and I’m just hoping we can finish this season off the way we want to. And obviously the FA Cup quarter-final in there as well, which is something to be really proud of as a group.”
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Leeds United must decide on veteran’s future
This season is the second time Karl Darlow has been called upon to bench the club’s number one. The Welsh keeper has proven this season that he is Premier League quality. He has performed so well since being installed as the first choice and could be the reason why the Whites stay afloat in the top flight. This summer, his contract expires, leaving Leeds United with a huge decision to make. The club must decide if they want to renew the 35-year old’s contract, or lose him for free. Darlow is good enough to be the keeper for Wales in a World Cup qualifying campaign, and will not be short of suitors in the coming months. Whether he will be a Leeds player or not will be down to the owners.
| Statistic | Total |
|---|---|
| Games | 15 |
| Goals Conceded | 19 |
| Clean Sheets | 3 |
| Goals Prevented | -2.85 |
| Saves per Game | 2.45 |
