Daniel Farke has backed Michael Zetterer despite acknowledging the goalkeeper had “a nightmare debut” in Leeds United’s 6-3 midweek Carabao Cup defeat against Chelsea.
The 31-year-old German completed a reported £4.27 million move from Eintracht Frankfurt last month, and made his first start at Stamford Bridge in place of fellow summer recruit James Trafford.
Leeds built a 2-0 cushion early in the second period, but conceded three times in seven minutes after Chelsea brought on substitutes Cole Palmer, Morgan Rogers and Pedro Neto to turn the tie on its head.
Reflecting on Zetterer’s tough start to life in English football, Farke said: “Michael has played many games on Bundesliga level. He has played Champions League and it’s a nightmare debut, let’s be honest.
“But in this moment you feel a bit also for him. Who wants to have such a debut, so difficult. Of course, he knows that in one or two scenes he could have tried perhaps even a bit more, like for the second goal, at least try to jump and dive.”
Farke added: “Sometimes in life you have the worst possible start that you can have and then there is already a bit of weight and pressure on your shoulders.
“But it’s also like (Premier League footballers) are all leading a privileged life. They have a proper salary, and you know they are football players on a permanent level, and they also don’t need too much sympathy.
“Everyone, all the players, all the staff members, coaching staff, Ed (Wootten) as a goalkeeper coach have all seen during training what a really good goalkeeper Michael is.”
Zetterer is set to make way for Trafford when Leeds return to Premier League action against Newcastle at Elland Road on Monday night.
Farke’s men have enjoyed a positive start to the Premier League season, picking up five points from their opening three games.
Leeds have drawn their last two matches against Brentford and Brighton after winning their first match of the season away at Nottingham Forest.
They will hope to get back on track after their loss to Chelsea when they face Newcastle, who are also unbeaten in the league this season.
