Former Leeds United keeper Marco Silvestri is statistically the best shot-stopper in Europe

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Plenty of fans have been left impressed by the performances of Karl Darlow in the Premier League this season. After stepping in for the injured Tomas Dubravka the Englishman has been in fine form for Steve Bruce’s side. 

Indeed, as shown by a tweet from FIVEYARDS, Darlow is second in the list for most goals prevented in Europe’s top five leagues and the Championship. 

But Leeds United fans might be a little bit shocked to see who is top of that respective leaderboard. 

One time Massimo Cellino recruit Marco Silvestri is currently the continent’s top shot-stopper. 

Silvestri joined Leeds in 2014 from Chievo in a deal worth around £400,000 (as reported by the Yorkshire Post). He went on to have an eventful spell at Elland Road. During that time, he showcased his undoubted shot-stopping ability but was also considered something of a liability by Leeds fans. 

When Leeds signed him, former chairman Cellino claimed on the Leeds website that Silvestri was ‘one of the best young goalkeepers in Europe’. 

But after two years at Elland Road, the Italian lost his number one spot to Rob Green and ended up at Verona in 2017. 

He has since been in fine form for the Italian club and has even kicked into another gear this season. The result of this has been a first-ever call-up to the Italian national team as a replacement for Napoli stopper Alex Meret.

Of all the bizarre signings that arrived in Leeds during the Cellino era Silvestri was perhaps one of the ones who did, at times, look like a genuine talent – even if he was prone to error. 

Now he is a star at Verona as they continue to surprise many with their continued form in Serie A.