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No position in football gets as much scrutiny as the goalkeeper. A single mistake from a goalkeeper more often than not results in a goal, which is why it is important to have quality shot-stoppers in the team.
These days, managers ask for goalkeepers who are good with their feet as well. While making saves is the primary agenda, it is seen as a bonus if a team's goalkeeper can start attacks.
We take a look at:
Top 10 best goalkeepers in Europe this season
#10 BERND LENO, ARSENAL
With Petr Cech declining rapidly, Arsenal made the wise decision of investing in a goalkeeper before it became painfully obvious.
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Bernd Leno joined Arsenal from Bayer Leverkusen in 2018 for £22.5 million, and he has been a consistent performer for the club ever since. Despite having a shambolic defence in front of him, the Germany international's saves have often kept his club in the game.
In 30 league appearances, Leno kept only seven clean sheets, but that is more indicative of the poor defence in front of him. While there have been issues with concentration, the 28-year-old was comfortably Arsenal's best player in the league alongside striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
#9 NICK POPE, BURNLEY
Nick Pope's ascendancy to the top has been impressive. Having initially arrived from Charlton Athletic for £1 million in 2016 as backup to Tom Heaton, Pope is now regarded as one of the best English keepers around.
The England international is an excellent shot-stopper capable of making close-range saves. Renowned for his high concentration levels, Pope kept 15 clean sheets in 38 league appearances for Burnley, narrowly missing out on the Golden Glove award.
While Burnley's defence has been lauded, Pope has been a vital asset to Sean Dyche's side. The 28-year-old's incredible performance in a 1-1 draw against Liverpool at Anfield was highly talked about; Pope made eight saves in the game to keep Burnley alive.
#8 DEAN HENDERSON, SHEFFIELD UNITED
While Manchester United have a lot of issues to sort out in the transfer market, the goalkeeping situation will certainly not been one of them.
David de Gea's poor performances this season has led fans to ask Ole Gunnar Solskjaer to start Dean Henderson in goal next season. There is a reason for that; Henderson has enjoyed a brilliant two-year loan spell at Sheffield United and looks ready to take on the responsibility.
In 36 appearances in the Premier League the 23-year-old kept 13 clean sheets. His triple-save against Norwich City helped his side win 1-0, and while there have been a few errors here and there, the Englishman has been one of Blades' best players over the last two years.
Also Read: Barcelona Transfer News: 27-year-old winger targeted as Neymar alternative by the Spanish giants
#7 KEYLOR NAVAS, PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN
Perennially underrated, Keylor Navas has always performed at a high level for both club and country.
After an incredible yet subdued spell at Real Madrid where he won the Champions League three times as their starting goalkeeper, Navas moved to Paris Saint-Germain last summer for a fee of £13 million. The Costa Rica international has not put a foot out of line, producing consistent performances on a weekly basis.
In 21 league appearances for the club, the 33-year-old kept 11 clean sheets and conceded only 16 goals, winning the league in the process. Navas might not get the recognition that he is due, but he continues to be as reliable as a goalkeeper can be.
#6 MANUEL NEUER, BAYERN MUNICH
While Manuel Neuer may no longer be the best in his position, there is no denying the Bayern Munich captain's influence.
Having joined Bayern Munich from Schalke in 2011 for £27 million, Neuer's performances for his club and Germany have made critics acknowledge that he is one of the best goalkeepers to have played the game. A modern shot-stopper who is good with the ball at his feet, Neuer arguably changed the way goalkeepers operate these days.
While he may have slowed down in recent years, Neuer bounced back with some strong performances last season for Bayern Munich. The 34-year-old made 33 appearances in the Bundesliga, and kept 15 clean sheets.
#5 EDERSON, MANCHESTER CITY
Ederson may not have had the best of seasons, but he still remains one of Manchester City's most important players.
The Brazil international joined Manchester City from Benfica for £35 million in 2017, immediately replacing Claudio Bravo in City's goal. His saves have been vital for his club, but it is his ability to play out from the back that has played a crucial role in how Manchester City operate.
The 26-year-old won the Premier League Golden Glove for the season, and kept 16 clean sheets in 35 Premier League appearances. However, City's defence was not in good shape for the majority of the season, with Ederson also making a few mistakes.
#4 THIBAUT COURTOIS, REAL MADRID
After a slow start to his Real Madrid career, Thibaut Courtois has now come to the fore in his second season at the club.
The 28-year-old joined Real Madrid from Chelsea in 2018 under controversial circumstances for £31 million. Courtois did not have the best of starts, but slowly became the first-choice goalkeeper for the club, ousting Keylor Navas in the process.
The Belgium international kept 18 clean sheets in 34 appearances for the club, conceding only 20 goals in the process. This led to the former Atletico Madrid man winning Zamora Trophy for the best goalkeeper in the league, and being named in the UEFA La Liga Team of the Season.
Also Read: Top 10 players who have created the most chances in Europe this season
#3 ALISSON, LIVERPOOL
After Loris Karius' catastrophic performance in the Champions League final for Liverpool, it became imperative for the club to buy a new goalkeeper.
Alisson cost the club £66.8 million from Roma in 2018, making him for a short period the most expensive goalkeeper in the world. The price tag has been justified, and the Brazil international has become a key component in a Liverpool side which has won the Champions League and the Premier League post his arrival.
A modern goalkeeper who is good with the ball at his feet, Alisson has made excellent saves to keep Liverpool in many games. The 27-year-old made 29 appearances in the Premier League and kept 15 clean sheets, one short of compatriot Ederson.
#2 MARC-ANDRE TER STEGEN, BARCELONA
There is no denying that Barcelona are not in a good state. The club continues to be run weirdly, while the football on the pitch has been nothing to write home about either.
One shining light for the club in such dark times has been goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen. The Germany international has made some truly incredible saves to help his side, while his passing has been an added bonus. Such have been is performances that there have been shouts to make him Germany's No.1 ahead of Manuel Neuer.
The 28-year-old made 36 appearances in La Liga for the club and kept 14 clean sheets. There have been rumours of a move away, but Barcelona would be loath to lose one of their best players.
#1 JAN OBLAK, ATLETICO MADRID
While he has some good competition, Jan Oblak is the best goalkeeper in the world right now.
The Slovenia international joined Atletico Madrid from Benfica in 2014 for £14 million, and has been linked with £100 million moves to Premier League clubs these days. An agile goalkeeper with excellent reflexes, Oblak's leadership ability has also been lauded by critics for he marshals the back-line for Atleti.
Oblak played in every league game for Atletico Madrid, making 38 appearances. The 27-year-old kept 17 clean sheets, conceding 27 goals in the process. Chelsea have been persistently linked with a move.
Also Read: Reports: Arsenal willing to offer three first-team players for Thomas Partey
