Premier League: Ranking the best between the sticks

The opening weekend of the Premier League has already enthralled the audiences. If the Premier League can maintain a similar level of quality throughout, we would be in for a treat.

Just like every season, all eyeballs would be trained on how the ‘flair’ players turn up week in, week out. However, one must not forget the essential job the men between the sticks do. A great save has the potential to tilt the game towards your side and can help get your team on the front foot.

Goalkeeping is one of the most thankless jobs in football. No one bats an eyelid if you make a save but if you make a mistake, the whole world is out to massacre you. Thus, as a tribute, I have indulged in an article to look at the best in the business between the sticks in England.

The transfer window this summer belonged to the goalkeepers with numerous top-notch goalkeepers on the move. While Courtois moved to Spain, the likes of Alisson, Leno, Rui Patricio and Kepa Arrizabalaga arrived on English shores. Hence, it is only fitting that we take a look at who makes the list of Top 5 goalkeepers.

The Top 5 keepers in England are as follows:

#5 Jordan Pickford (Everton)

Jordan Pickford is an English goalkeeper who moved to Everton at the start of the 2017-18 season. He made the move to the Toffees from Sunderland.

He had an impressive 2016-17 season for the Black Cats and made 135 saves in 29 appearances. It was a shame that he could muster only 4 clean sheets. However, that was more down to Sunderland’s shoddy defending than Pickford’s deficiencies. In the next season, he was even more impressive with Everton and made 121 saves on his way to 10 clean sheets.

He continued his good form at the World Cup with England. He was an indispensable part of England’s team and helped them win their first-ever penalty shootout at a World Cup.

Pickford is an excellent shot-stopper and does not flap at crosses. He is very vocal as well and helps in organising the defence. To supplement these attributes, he is good with the ball at his feet and helps the team in playing out from the back.

At only 24 years of age, he has the time to blossom into one of England’s best ever goalkeepers. For his solidity and shot-stopping abilities, he makes our list at No.5.

#4 Ederson (Manchester City)

Ederson springs into action.

Ederson was signed from Benfica before the 2017-18 season sprang into action. He was a vital part of Manchester City’s title-winning run and embodied Guardiola’s philosophy to the T.

Ederson is arguably the best goalkeeper in the world, with the ball at his feet. Last season, he acted as the ‘sweeper keeper’ on 40 occasions and bailed City out of trouble. He also has the canny ability to play smashing cross-field passes with him completing an astonishing 147 long balls throughout the entirety of the season. Ederson kept 16 clean sheets in his debut season and made 58 saves in the process.

The only down side to his game is his tendency to make the odd error. However, at 24 years of age, he has the time to iron out that flaw and become the best goalkeeper in the world.

While he might be the most talented keeper in the league, his ability to let the odd error creep into his game, only gets him the No. 4 spot on our list.

#3 Alisson (Liverpool)

Alisson on point to make a save

In 3rd place, I have gone for Liverpool’s new-boy, Alisson. Alisson was signed from Roma, where he enjoyed a stellar season.

In the Serie A, he kept 17 clean sheets as Roma finished 3rd behind Juventus and Napoli. His most eye-catching performances, however, came in the Champions League. He was spectacular in Roma’s run to the semi-finals. He kept 5 clean sheets and was sublime against Liverpool and Barcelona at home.

In the World Cup, he painted a solid picture between the sticks for Brazil. Brazil dominated most of the games they played and he was rarely called into action. Whenever called upon, he was on hand to keep the attackers at bay.

Alisson is very composed under crosses and rarely makes an error. To supplement this, he boasts of a good passing range, which was on display in pre-season.

A great shot-stopper, Alisson gets in ahead of Ederson for his ability to be less error-prone. At 25 years of age, £67m looks like a bargain for the Brazilian.

#2 Hugo Lloris (Tottenham)

Lloris doing what he does best

The World Cup-winning Frenchman has been a constant fixture for Spurs over the past few years and for good reason. Lloris is one of the best goalkeepers in the world and easily makes it into the Top 2 of our list.

Lloris has had a hand in 74 clean sheets throughout his Premier League career, with 15 of those coming in the season gone by. In addition to this, he is a leader on the pitch and gets the team going when they look off-colour.

He had a great World Cup for France and led them to glory. A poor moment in the final aside, he was at his imperious best throughout the course of the tournament.

Lloris’ biggest asset is his shot stopping. His 86 saves last season is a testament to the fact. Apart from his shot stopping abilities, he has the ability to play out from the back and hit 217 accurate long balls to go with an average of 27.67 passes per game. Lloris ticks all the boxes for being a top-drawer goalkeeper.

Lloris could have been No.1 on our list but misses out due to an exceptional keeper occupying the perch.

#1 David De Gea (Manchester United)

De Gea is one of the best goalies in the world

The exceptional keeper in question, is none other than Manchester United’s David De Gea. De Gea arrived at Old Trafford in 2011. After a couple of unconvincing seasons initially, he made the goalkeeping spot his own. The fact that he has been named United’s player of the year four times out of the last five, speaks volumes of his ability.

De Gea had a World Cup to forget as he made a couple of poor errors which led to goals. However, he was simply sensational for his club, Manchester United. He kept 18 clean sheets on his way to winning the PL Golden Glove.

De Gea is an accomplished shot stopper and made 115 saves last season, while making zero errors. He is not bad with his feet either and completed an astounding 260 long passes. Though De Gea flaps at crosses sometimes, he offsets that with his ability to come up with game-changing saves. His performance against Arsenal at the Emirates quickly springs to mind.

At this juncture, with Neuer not at the peak of his powers, De Gea is arguably the best goalkeeper on the planet. Hence, it comes as no surprise that he tops our list of goalkeepers plying their trade in the Premier League.