Leeds’ new goalkeeper Lucas Perri called ‘best goalkeeper in the world’ by top manager
Leeds fans will be excited to welcome Lucas Perri as their new number one goalkeeper.
The Whites have been searching for a new stopper to replace Illan Meslier all summer.
Meslier only conceded 27 goals in 39 appearances last season, but a string of high-profile errors looks set to lose him his place as first-choice goalkeeper at Elland Road.
Perri looks set to be a fantastic upgrade. In fact, he was labelled as the ‘best goalkeeper in the world’ during a spell of great form for Lyon last season.
Perri was labelled as the ‘best goalkeeper in the world’
Brazilian stopper Perri moved from Botafogo to Lyon in January 2024, but only established himself as their first-choice goalkeeper at the start of last season.
Perri made 45 appearances for Les Gones and was highly regarded by their manager Paulo Fonseca.
After a 2-0 victory against Nice in March, Fonseca said: “Right now, the best goalkeeper in the world is Lucas Perri.”
Fonseca praised Perri’s defensive game, as well as his improved distribution, which had supposedly been a concern when he first signed for the French club.
However, French football expert Luke Entwistle told MOT Leeds News that he remains concerned about Perri’s footwork.
So, this is a part of his game that he will likely continue to try and improve.
Perri backs himself as an expert penalty saver
Perri, 27, stands at 6’5″ and commands his penalty box like an expert.
He also serves as an intimidating figure when facing penalty kicks, and has backed himself as an expert in this scenario.
Indeed, he was the hero in the 2024 Coupe De France quarter-final, when Lyon defeated Strasbourg on penalties after a 0-0 draw.
This was only Perri’s second game in a Lyon shirt, but he kept a clean sheet and saved Strasbourg’s first penalty, while another was hit off target.
In the eyes of many, it was this match where Perri established himself as capable enough to become the first-choice goalkeeper.
| Appearances | Goals Conceded | Clean Sheets |
| 49 | 63 | 15 |
After the game, he said: “On penalties, there is a personal feeling and there is a lot of work. I am a goalkeeper who has had a lot of success in this exercise in the past.”
Perri looks set to start Leeds’ first Premier League game against Everton on 18 July. A clean sheet and perhaps one of his trademark penalty saves would immediately endear him to Elland Road faithful.
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