Top 10 Goalkeepers in Football during the 2017-18 Season

#2 David de Gea - Manchester United

Manchester United v AFC Bournemouth - Premier League

For a very brief moment, I considered copping out and naming De Gea as the joint #1 goalkeeper of 2017. That's how good (and close) it was. I'll go into the reasons why DdG was not the best on 2017 later, but for now let's focus on why he's considered by many to be the best in the world.

That Arsenal game.

It was enough of a microcosm of what De Gea brings to Mourinho's United. De Gea pulled off save after stunning save - equalling the record for the most saves in a single Premier League game.

A large part of the reason that Manchester United were even in with a sniff of title this season was De Gea - mostly because his numbers for 2017 are *literally* off the charts.

And for anyone who wants to see what a great Goalkeeper looks like in the data, have a peek at David De Gea. In every single season he has made more saves than expected and look at his performances this season! pic.twitter.com/hMQwK2ABD9

— Colin Trainor (@colintrainor) December 29, 2017

David de Gea made a save that you didn't expect him to make so often in 2017 - that it masks the defensive decline Jose Mourinho's side have had. If the Spaniard makes his much-rumoured move to Real Madrid - he will no doubt obliterate the fee for the most expensive goalkeeper in the world.

And it will be worth the money.