Farke backs Zetterer after goalkeeper's 'nightmare debut' in Leeds' 6-3 Carabao Cup rout by Chelsea

Daniel Farke has defended summer signing Michael Zetterer after the goalkeeper conceded six goals on his Leeds United debut, a 6-3 Carabao Cup defeat to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday.

The 31-year-old German, who completed a reported £4.27 million move from Eintracht Frankfurt last month, was handed his first start in place of fellow summer recruit James Trafford. Leeds led 2-0 early in the second half before Chelsea introduced Cole Palmer, Morgan Rogers and Pedro Neto from the bench — a triple substitution that triggered three goals in seven minutes and turned the tie decisively in the hosts’ favour.

Farke was candid about the scale of Zetterer’s misfortune but stopped short of writing him off. “Michael has played many games on Bundesliga level. He has played Champions League and it’s a nightmare debut, let’s be honest,” the Leeds manager said. “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 also tempered any calls for sympathy, noting the realities of professional football. “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 they 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.”

Despite the difficult evening, Farke insisted the evidence from training points to a goalkeeper of genuine quality. “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 expected to make way for Trafford when Leeds return to Premier League action against Newcastle at Elland Road on Monday. Farke’s side have made an encouraging start to the top-flight campaign, collecting five points from their opening three games — a win at Nottingham Forest followed by draws against Brentford and Brighton. Newcastle, also unbeaten in the league, provide the next test as Leeds look to put Wednesday’s cup exit firmly behind them.