Credit: Imago

Richie Mills

Wed 8 April 2026 15:10, UK

Lucas Perri is one of the most “passive” goalkeepers in the Premier League when it comes to defending corners, as the battle for Leeds United‘s number one spot continues.

That is according to former goalkeeper Matt Pyzdrowski, who states that the Brazilian needs to command his area better if he wants to usurp Karl Darlow as Leeds’ first-choice stopper.

Perri was signed to become Leeds’ number one keeper after joining from Lyon for around £15million last summer, but underwhelming displays led to him being dropped in early January for Darlow.

The 28-year-old has impressed in their run to the FA Cup semi-finals, but there are still parts of his game that need ironing out.

Now, Perri has been told what to do to boost his chances of getting a first-team return for Leeds.

Lucas Perri doesn’t use his size well enough

Perri is one of the biggest keepers in the Premier League at just under 6ft 6in.

And yet, according to former Helsingborgs man Pyzdrowski, the Brazilian is one of the division’s “most passive” in his position when it comes to defending corners.

He wrote in The Athletic that Perri’s approach is built around protecting the goal and relying heavily on defenders to clear the ball, rather than dominating his six-yard box.

Darlow has made 10 high claims and eight punches in 15 league games this season, whereas Perri has the fewest high claims (nine) and punches (six) of any Premier League goalkeeper to appear 10 or more times this season.

It’s added that his combined claims and punches per 90 minutes (0.94) are among the lowest in the Premier League, with only Jordan Pickford and Bart Verbruggen coming off their line less frequently.

It may be by design, however. Pyzdrowski points out that Leeds’ defensive structure asks defenders to take responsibility for the initial duel, allowing Perri to focus on protecting the goal and reacting to shots through a morass of players.

And yet, deliveries into the six-yard area are rarely his responsibility.

Against West Ham in the FA Cup, his shot-stopping abilities came to the fore. But maybe Leeds should make more of his size and strength when dealing with corners?

And yet, it seems Darlow is shading him in this regard.

Incidentally, Leeds have conceded seven goals from corners this season, the joint 10th fewest in the league. This suggests the system around Perri has been reasonably effective, even if he is not the dominant aerial presence many would assume he would be.

Perri can learn from Djordje Petrovic

Bournemouth signed Djorde Petrovic from Chelsea last summer, and so far, he has performed admirably for the Cherries.

The ex-Blues player is second only to Robin Roefs for combined claims and punches this season, with the 26-year-old commended for using his 6ft 4in frame well.

Pyzdrowski writes, “Physically, Petrovic uses his size extremely well. Tall and long-limbed, he is more aggressive and assertive in the air than some goalkeepers of similar stature – in that sense, he contrasts with Leeds United’s Lucas Perri.”

During his up-and-down season, talk has sprung up about how Leeds may look to move on the big stopper.

At 28, he still has a long way to go in his career, and Leeds may be able to recoup their initial outlay on Perri if sold in 2026.

Perri has the worst save percentage in the Premier League at 60.3, whereas Darlow’s is up at 67.9 in 13th. The Welshman has let in 10 fewer goals, with Perri playing a game more (15 vs 16), with the former Sao Paulo man making 38 saves to Darlow’s 36.

He appears to be happy at the club, but if Leeds want to kick on, they may need a safer pair of hands in the Premier League.