10 best goalkeepers in the world this season (2020-21)

#3 Thibaut Courtois | Real Madrid

Thibaut Courtois

Thibaut Courtois has proven himself to be a world-class goalkeeper for club and country. His point-blank saves and sharp reflexes have saved face for Real Madrid countless times in the 2020-21 campaign, but despite having the best save ratio (81.1%) in La Liga, he and his teammates were trophyless at the end of a difficult campaign.

Although Karim Benzema's exploits in front of goal have been a source of inspiration for Real Madrid, if not for Courtois' heroics behind a heavily rotated defense, the club would've dropped out of the title race weeks ago.

He kept 17 clean sheets and was only beaten 28 times in 38 appearances. He showcased his class in the Champions League with match-winning performances against Liverpool and some stunning saves for Real Madrid in their narrow loss to Chelsea in the semi-finals.

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#2 Ederson | Manchester City

Ederson won the Premier League Golden Glove award

Some people will point out that Ederson is lucky as a goalkeeper as he has one of the most expensive defensive lines in front of him at Manchester City, but he is more than capable of handling anything and everything as the final line of defense.

When he is not busy making saves, he is often seen making use of his impressive distribution to deliver inch-perfect passes to the attackers and initiate goal-scoring opportunities right from the 18-yard box.

Ederson wins the Premier League Golden Glove in back-to-back years ⭐️🧤 pic.twitter.com/8fJkyyKodc

— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) May 18, 2021

He won the Golden Glove after keeping 18 clean sheets this term but more importantly picked up an incredible assist for Gundogan in February, which would've been the best goalkeeping act of the season if not for Alisson's header against West Bromwich Albion.

His ball-playing abilities and fearlessness in coming off his line make him the ideal modern-day goalkeeper.

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#1 Jan Oblak | Atletico Madrid

Jan Oblak

Goalkeepers are judged by their ability to keep a clean sheet and deny goalscoring opportunities to their opponents. No goalkeeper gets the job done better than Atletico Madrid's Jan Oblak.

The Slovenian goalkeeper has lifted the Zamora trophy yet again this season and led the charts in clean sheets. He has also conceded the least number of goals in the league.

He is a great performer in penalty situations as well and has saved two of the four penalties faced this season.

Congratulations to Jan Oblak!Safe pair of hands 🧤 pic.twitter.com/hgZ951EH7w

— Goal (@goal) May 22, 2021

While he is not as great a passer as Ederson, he is an efficient distributor of the ball and is comfortable with the ball at his feet. He ticks all the boxes when it comes to the requirements of a champion goalkeeper and given his performances, it is not difficult to understand why he is the best-paid custodian in the world.

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