Karl Darlow Credit: Imago
Karl Darlow has emerged as Leeds United’s first-choice goalkeeper this season despite the club spending considerable money to sign Lucas Perri last summer.
The Welsh goalkeeper has been more of a stable presence between the sticks than the Brazilian and has offered more assurance to the defence in the ongoing season.
Most Read on The Leeds Press
Perri may get his chance against West Ham in the FA Cup clash on Sunday at the London Stadium. However, Darlow is expected to be back for the Manchester United clash in the Premier League eight days later.
*]:pointer-events-auto scroll-mt-(--header-height)" dir="auto" data-turn-id="1952f2be-a768-4618-b965-27dc590abae8" data-testid="conversation-turn-9" data-scroll-anchor="false" data-turn="user">
*]:pointer-events-auto scroll-mt-[calc(var(--header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]" dir="auto" data-turn-id="request-WEB:b7c74f86-5ebc-478f-96b7-0e5108b28d07-4" data-testid="conversation-turn-10" data-scroll-anchor="true" data-turn="assistant">
Darlow has opened up about what’s been a difficult season for Premier League goalkeepers, and he’s clearly frustrated by how little protection officials have offered them during matches.
Premier League referees have come under fire from Karl Darlow
Darlow admitted that it is getting increasingly hard for goalkeepers to take charge of the situation inside the penalty box in the Premier League this season.
He stressed that opponents are getting away with anything they do with the goalkeeper during set-pieces, and the officials are providing no protection.
The Leeds goalkeeper insisted that clear fouls on the goalkeepers are being ignored, and they are being clearly targeted during corners.
Darlow said on theOfficial Leeds United Podcast: “It’s probably been more difficult to get to the ball in terms of corners, who you’ve got on you.
“Don’t get me wrong, there’s always been people on you, but now there’s full-on plans of what each set piece is going to look like.
“So if it’s back post, there might not be someone behind you, but by the time you take a step back and you’re watching the ball, someone’s blocking you, and I think that’s probably the biggest change in terms of how they’ve targeted, obviously key headers of the ball and the goalkeeper.
“I wonder if the Premier League can do anything about it, because I think the way it’s going, it’s almost as if you can do whatever you like, and it’s not being penalised, whereas even years before, you’d get fouls for stuff that’s not being given fouls for.”
Leeds need him to be at his best for the run-in
Darlow has clearly leapfrogged Perri in the pecking order of goalkeepers at Leeds and is expected to end the season as their number one.
Perri has been too inconsistent for Daniel Farke to recall him for the Premier League run-in, but Darlow has not been flawless as well, which is a concern.
Karl Darlow – Premier League Stats (2025/26 Season)
Stat Value
Games Played 15
Goals Conceded 19
Clean Sheets 3
Minutes Played 1,350
Leeds are not scoring enough goals, and therefore, the pressure on the defenders and Darlow to keep clean sheets has only increased.
The Whites will need him at his best for the final seven Premier League games of the season as any mistake could prove catastrophic in their bid to avoid relegation.