Top 10 goalkeepers in the Premier league​

In the 30 years of Premier League history, the goalkeeper position has changed significantly. The modern goalkeeper is not only required to defend the goal but also to play as an outfield player, with the ability to control the ball, pass accurately and “clean up” attacks from distance. They are also stronger than goalkeepers of the 1990s. However, the main goal is still to stop the ball from entering the net. To do this, they need agility, good reflexes, strength and spatial awareness to choose the optimal position. Great goalkeepers also possess mental skills such as concentration, anticipation, courage and leadership. Join Premiumsoccertips to explore the list of top 10 goalkeepers in the Premier league​. The ranking celebrates those who have transformed outstanding talent into success on the pitch.

Who is the best goalkeeper in Premier league right now​?

10. Thibaut Courtois

Thibaut Courtois, the Belgian goalkeeper, had an impressive Premier League career with Chelsea from 2011 to 2018. In 126 appearances, he kept 48 clean sheets, a rate of 38%, and was able to deliver excellent and consistent defending throughout his time in the top flight.

Despite his impressive record, Courtois would be ranked higher had he played longer in the Premier League. When he joined Chelsea in 2011, he faced competition from Petr Cech, so he was loaned out to Atletico Madrid for three seasons before returning to Chelsea and playing for the next four seasons, before moving to Real Madrid.

At Chelsea, Courtois won two Premier League titles, an FA Cup and a League Cup. He also won the Premier League Golden Glove in 2017 for keeping the most clean sheets in a season.

At an impressive 2 metres (6 ft 7 in), Courtois is a modern goalkeeper, capable of delivering slow-motion spins and handling situations with aplomb, while having few weaknesses in his style of play.

9. Shay Given

Irish goalkeeper Shay Given has had a long and impressive Premier League career, playing for top clubs such as Blackburn Rovers (1994-1997), Newcastle United (1997-2009), Manchester City (2009-2011), Aston Villa (2011-2015) and Stoke City (2015-2017). In 451 appearances, he has kept 113 clean sheets, a 25% clean sheet rate. This is a testament to Given’s consistency and experience over more than two decades in the English top flight.

Shay Given’s career spans almost the entirety of Premier League history, although he did not become a full-time player until joining Newcastle in 1997. He reached the FA Cup final with the club in 1998 and Aston Villa in 2015. Given’s only significant honour was the FA Cup with Manchester City in 2011.

His lack of silverware and clean sheet record reflect the teams he has played for. However, he is widely regarded as a top goalkeeper and was named in the PFA Team of the Year twice (2002 and 2006). Alongside his Premier League duties, Given has amassed 134 caps for the Ireland national team.

8. Brad Friedel

American goalkeeper Brad Friedel made his mark in the Premier League with a career spanning four major clubs: Liverpool (1997-2000), Blackburn Rovers (2001-2008), Aston Villa (2008-2011) and Tottenham Hotspur (2011-2015). In 450 appearances, he kept 132 clean sheets, a rate of 29%. With his consistent form and tenacity, Friedel is considered one of the best goalkeepers American football has ever produced.

Brad Friedel is known for being a reliable goalkeeper who rarely gets injured, which is why he holds the record for “most consecutive appearances” in the Premier League (310). His total of 450 appearances is also the most for any player from the Americas.

A testament to his fitness, Friedel became the fourth oldest player to play in the Premier League when, at 42, he played his last game for Tottenham (after Hugo Lloris was injured). Friedel won the League Cup with Blackburn in 2002. He was named in the PFA Team of the Year in 2003 and kept the most clean sheets in the Premier League that season (the Golden Glove award was introduced in 2005).

7. Hugo Lloris

The French goalkeeper Hugo Lloris enjoyed a memorable Premier League career with Tottenham Hotspur from 2012 to 2023. He made 361 appearances, keeping 127 clean sheets, a 35% clean sheet rate. With his excellent reflexes, solid leadership and consistency in goal, Lloris was not only a reliable stopper but also an exemplary captain for Tottenham for over a decade.

When Hugo Lloris arrived at Spurs in 2012, he already had a formidable reputation from his time in France with Nice and Lyon. Indeed, Lloris was the first-choice goalkeeper for the French national team from 2009 to 2022, and he has won 145 caps for the team.

At Spurs, Lloris reached two League Cup finals and a Champions League final, but did not win any silverware. However, he showed his quality when he won the 2018 World Cup with France. Indeed, Lloris is a professional shot-stopper and is particularly quick and agile with his reflexes and speed off the line.

6. Pepe Reina

Spanish goalkeeper Pepe Reina had an impressive Premier League career, playing for Liverpool from 2005 to 2013 and then Aston Villa in the 2019-20 season. He made 297 appearances in total, keeping 136 clean sheets, a 46% clean sheet rate. With excellent reflexes and consistent form, Reina became one of the top goalkeepers in the Premier League during his time.

Although his Liverpool career ended at the end of the season, Pepe Reina remained the best goalkeeper in the Premier League for many years. He won the Golden Glove award three years in a row (2006-2008) and his clean sheet rate (46%) is the best on this list.

While at Liverpool, Reina won an FA Cup, a League Cup and reached the 2007 Champions League final. He also played in the 2020 League Cup final against Aston Villa. Known as a “sweeper keeper” who “plays well with his feet”, Reina is also a penalty-stopper.

5. David de Gea

Spanish goalkeeper David de Gea enjoyed a long and successful Premier League career with Manchester United from 2011 to 2023. In 415 appearances, he kept 147 clean sheets, a rate of 35%. De Gea was renowned for his excellent reflexes and impressive shot-saving ability and was one of the world’s top goalkeepers during his time in the Premier League.

David de Gea was just 20 when he joined Manchester United from Atletico Madrid, and it is a testament to his quality that he has kept his place for 12 years. During that time, he has accumulated the fourth-highest clean sheet tally in Premier League history (behind Cech, James and Schwarzer).

At United, David de Gea won a Premier League title (2013), an FA Cup, two League Cups and a Europa League in 2017. He also won the Golden Glove in 2018 and 2023 and has been named in the PFA Team of the Year five times.

David de Gea is renowned for using his long legs to block shots with his feet, making instinctive saves that other goalkeepers would not be able to “drop” to make with their hands. However, the video features some of his more eye-catching saves.

4. Edwin van der Sar

Dutch goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar had an impressive Premier League career, playing for Fulham from 2001 to 2005 and Manchester United from 2005 to 2011. In a total of 313 appearances, he kept 132 clean sheets, a 42% clean sheet rate. With his composure, technical ability and leadership, van der Sar is one of the best goalkeepers in Premier League history.

Edwin van der Sar was 34 when he joined Manchester United in 2005. In six seasons at Old Trafford, he won four Premier League titles and the 2008 Champions League. He also went 1,311 minutes without conceding a goal in the 2008–09 campaign.

Van der Sar’s quality was evident before he joined United, having won 14 trophies for Ajax (including the 1995 Champions League) before moving to Juventus and Fulham. He won a further 11 trophies at United. On an individual basis, he won the Golden Glove award in 2009 and was three times named in the PFA Team of the Year.

Van der Sar is agile despite his height (1.97 m; 6 ft 6 in) and is renowned for being “good with his feet”, inspiring other sweeper goalkeepers such as Manuel Neuer. He played 820 club games during his career and is the Netherlands’ most capped player with 130 appearances.

3. Petr Cech

Petr Čech, the Czech goalkeeper, had an illustrious career in the Premier League, playing for Chelsea from 2004 to 2015 and Arsenal from 2015 to 2019. In 443 appearances, he kept 202 clean sheets, a rate of 46%, making him one of the greatest goalkeepers in the history of the competition.

Čech holds the record for the most clean sheets in the Premier League. Before joining Chelsea, he went 903 minutes without conceding a goal in the Czech league. With Chelsea, he won 4 Premier League titles, 4 FA Cups, 3 League Cups, the 2012 Champions League and the 2013 Europa League. He later added an FA Cup with Arsenal.

Individually, Čech won the Golden Glove a record 4 times, and was twice named in the PFA Team of the Year. He also holds the record for clean sheets in a season (24 in 2004-05) and went 1,025 minutes without conceding a goal.

Petr Čech is known as an extremely reliable goalkeeper, thanks to his mental strength, decision-making ability, and traditional attributes such as long kicks and penalty saves, despite not being a modern goalkeeper.

2. David Seaman

David Seaman, an English goalkeeper, had an impressive Premier League career, playing for Arsenal from 1990 to 2003 and then Manchester City in the 2003-04 season. In 344 appearances, he kept 141 clean sheets, a 41% success rate, and is considered one of the best goalkeepers in English football in the 20th century.

When Arsène Wenger arrived at Arsenal, he praised Seaman’s coordination, knowing exactly where each limb was at all times. Seaman started his career in 1982 and joined Arsenal when the Premier League was introduced in 1992.

Over the course of his career, Seaman played 957 times for the club and was capped 75 times by the England national team. With Arsenal, he won three league titles, four FA Cups, a League Cup and a Cup Winners’ Cup.

Despite his size and not being the quickest goalkeeper, Seaman was surprisingly quick, made some impressive saves and was nicknamed ‘Safe Hands’ for his reliability. He also won the Golden Glove for most clean sheets in 1994 and 1999, and was selected in the PFA Team of the Year in 1997.

1. Peter Schmeichel

Peter Schmeichel, the Danish goalkeeper, had a remarkable career in the Premier League, playing for Manchester United until 1999, then Aston Villa (2001-2002) and Manchester City (2002-2003). In a total of 310 appearances, he kept 128 clean sheets, a rate of 41%. With his excellent shot-saving ability, tactical vision and leadership on the pitch, Schmeichel is regarded as one of the greatest goalkeepers in Premier League history.

When Peter Schmeichel arrived at Manchester United in 1991, he was described by Alex Ferguson as the “bargain of the century” based on his performances for Denmark. In a career that included 740 appearances for the club, Schmeichel also played for Brondby and Sporting Lisbon before and after his time at United.

During his eight years at Old Trafford, Schmeichel won five Premier League titles, three FA Cups, a League Cup and the 1999 Champions League. He also won the 1992 European Championship in 129 caps for Denmark. Known for his vocal leadership, ability to run off the line and the infamous “star jump” save, Schmeichel is the only goalkeeper to be named Player of the Season (in the Premier League in 1996). He was also named in the PFA Team of the Year once (in 1993) and had the most clean sheets three times, in 1995, 1996 and 1998 (i.e. the Golden Glove).

Conclusion

Over the 30 years of Premier League history, great goalkeepers have not only demonstrated their defensive prowess but have also shown a remarkable evolution in their skills and playing style. Top goalkeepers such as Peter Schmeichel, David Seaman and Petr Čech have become legends for their leadership, quick reflexes and consistency in goal. They have not only kept clean sheets but also played a vital role in the success of their teams. Although modern goalkeepers such as Thibaut Courtois and David de Gea have made their mark with some fantastic saves, this list of the ‘Top 10 Goalkeepers in the Premier League’ is a testament to the greatness and influence of goalkeepers in this competition.

See more: Top strikers in the Premier league ever