The art of goalkeeping is only gaining importance in the modern age. As the decades roll on, fans, pundits, and analysts are beginning to understand the skill set required to enjoy success as a goalkeeper. The Premier League has enjoyed some of the best goalkeepers, who have been able to adapt to the dynamic requirements it takes to being a goalkeeper.
7. Ederson
- Premier League Clubs Played For: Manchester City
- Appearances: 276
- Clean Sheets: 122
- Saves: 467
The Brazilian was in the net for one of the most successful teams the Premier League has ever seen. In his first season with Manchester City, he kept an exceptional 16 clean sheets. Ederson is the definition of a modern goalkeeper. He’s excellent on the ball and is poised for the task of starting Man City’s attacks. He even has 7 Premier League assists to his name, highlighting his immaculate offensive abilities.
6. David de Gea
- Premier League Clubs Played For: Manchester United
- Appearances: 415
- Clean Sheets: 147
- Saves: 1157
In the 27 years Sir Alex Ferguson was in charge of Manchester United, he only ever missed three matches. To attend his brother’s wife’s funeral, to attend his son’s wedding, and to scout David de Gea. De Gea was brought to Old Trafford for a then British transfer record for a goalkeeper of £17 million.
He became the first player in the club’s history to win United’s Player of the Year three times in a row. He also featured in the PFA Team of the Year for four consecutive years between 2015 and 2018. With 147 clean sheets, he ranks second on the all-time list for most clean sheets.
5. Alisson Becker
- Premier League Clubs Played For: Liverpool
- Appearances: 229
- Clean Sheets: 95
- Saves: 563
Alisson joined the Premier League before the 2018/19 season as the most expensive goalkeeper in the world at the time, at £66.8 million. In his debut Premier League season, he kept 21 clean sheets. He joins the history books as one of six goalkeepers to register a goal in the Premier League. His late headed winner against West Brom secured the Reds Champions League football. He’s become a hero at Anfield, winning two Premier League titles as well as the Champions League.
4. David Seaman
- Premier League Clubs Played For: Arsenal, Manchester City
- Appearances: 344
- Clean Sheets: 141
- Saves: N/A
David Seaman enjoyed a very successful time at Arsenal, winning 3 league titles, including 2 Premier League titles. He represented a different era of goalkeepers; he struggled with his feet but was an excellent shot-stopper. Seaman, like many goalkeepers in the 90s, was a victim of the changed back-pass rule. He still managed to enjoy notable success and was named in two PFA Team of the Year.
3. Edwin van der Sar
- Premier League Clubs Played For: Manchester United, Fulham
- Appearances: 280
- Clean Sheets: 73
- Saves: 278
Edwin van der Sar signed for Manchester United in 2005 and helped them reassert their dominance. In his six seasons with the Red Devils, he won the league four times and also picked up a Champions League medal. He is considered the first world-class goalkeeper Manchester United had since Peter Schmeichel.
2. petr čech
- Premier League Clubs Played For: Chelsea, Arsenal
- Appearances: 443
- Clean Sheets: 161
- Saves: 1006
Petr Čech’s time at Chelsea was incredible, picking up several trophies whilst also breaking records. Čech stands at the No. 1 position for most clean sheets maintained in the Premier League.
He also holds the record for the fewest appearances to reach 100 clean sheets. Cech was pivotal in Chelsea’s win of 4 Premier League titles between 2004 and 2015. The Czech was in goal as Chelsea’s 2004/05 team recorded the fewest goals conceded in a Premier League season, with just 15 goals. He has the record for the most clean sheets in a season with 24. Also, he went 10 games in a row without letting in a single goal.
1. Peter Schmeichel
- Premier League Clubs Played For: Manchester United, Aston Villa, Manchester City
- Appearances: 310
- Clean Sheets: 128
- Saves: N/A
The 6 ft 3 in Dane stood in goal as a key part of Sir Alex Ferguson’s sides that enjoyed the pinnacle of success. He won five titles with Manchester United and was part of the infamous 1999 Treble-winning squad. He is even considered by many to be the greatest goalkeeper of all time.
Schmeichel was the Pablo Picasso of goalkeeping. He was amongst the biggest reasons why the back-pass rule was introduced after his time-wasting shenanigans in the 1992 Euros crowned Denmark champions.
Despite this rule hampering his game, he was still one of the loudest advocates for it. His trademark starfish save is still being used by many goalkeepers even in the modern era. He was also the first goalkeeper to be named on the scoresheet after netting a goal in a 3-2 defeat to Aston Villa.
Conclusion
The Premier League has been blessed with an array of goalkeepers who have shown their unique skill sets in different eras. From Peter Schmeichel’s dominance and revolutionisation to Petr Čech’s record-breaking figures, David de Gea’s acrobatic saves, and Ederson’s composure on the ball, the league has seen it all.
Written by: Thillai Ritvik
