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Goalkeepers have largely played a thankless role over the years, and don't often get the accolades they deserve for their performance between the sticks.
The most recent example is the omission of Chelsea shot-stopper Edouard Mendy from the 30-man Ballon d'Or shortlist. Despite his excellent form since joining the Blues in 2020, the Senegalese was overlooked for the 2021 edition of the prestigious award.
But in this article, we would be ranking the current five best goalkeepers in the world based on WhoScored ratings. The ratings take into account the players' overall performance and current form for the rankings. In the goalkeeper's case, the number of saves, cleansheets, the number of goals they have let in, are all taken into account before ratings are given.
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Without further delay, let's delve straight into our list of the best goalkeepers in the world based on ratings:
Note: Goalkeepers with a minimum of three appearances have been considered on this list.
#5 Geronimo Rulli (7.01)
Villarreal's Argentine custodian Geronimo Rulli is currently the fifth-best goalkeeper in Europe's top five leagues based on WhoScored ratings. The 29-year-old has let in just six goals in the league in eight league appearances, keeping five cleansheets in the process.
Though Villarreal have struggled to stay in the top half of the La Liga table, Rulli has been one of the few positives for them so far. The Argentine has made 2.1 saves per match on average and has commanded the penalty box well, making 1.6 saves in the area.
The Yellow Submarines have failed to keep a cleansheet without Rulli manning the post.
#4 Alisson (7.05)
The Liverpool goalkeeper has played a big hand in the Reds' commanding start to the Premier League season. Jurgen Klopp's side are just one point off top-placed Chelsea in the table and are the only unbeaten team in the league. The Reds' defense, along with Alisson, has had a big role to play in it.
The Brazilian has conceded just six league goals so far in eight matches and has kept five cleansheets. He has made 2.3 saves per game on average so far this season, 0.6 of which have come inside the six-yard box, 1.4 from the penalty area and 0.3 from outside the box.
Alisson has been one of the most important players for Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool, who have grown into one of the world's best teams over the last few years.
#3 David Ospina (7.11)
Napoli have been defensively the strongest side in Serie A so far, conceding just three goals in nine matches, six fewer than table-toppers AC Milan. David Ospina has played seven of those matches, making sure the Partenopei stay on course to challenge for the league title.
In seven matches, Ospina has let in just two goals and kept five cleansheets. He has similar save numbers as Alisson - 2.3 per match. But none of them have been in the six-yard box.
The Colombian was on the bench for the first two league matches of the season with Luciano Spalletti favoring Alex Meret. But since being drafted into the eleven from the third game onwards, he has made the spot his. With the form that Ospina has shown, and how that has helped the team maintain their ascendancy, it looks unlikely that the Colombian will lose his place any time soon.
#2 Luis Maximiano (7.19)
Although Granada are currently in the La Liga relegation zone, Luis Maximiano has been the second-best goalkeeper in Europe's top five leagues based on WhoScored ratings.
Maximiano has conceded seven goals in six appearances and kept just two cleansheets but he has the highest saves per game (5.2) among all goalkeepers in Europe's top five leagues. He has made three saves in the penalty box on average per game, while two of his saves have been made outside the box.
If not for Maximiano, Granada would have been in an even worse position in the league. The La Liga club's hierarchy will hope that Maximiano continues in the same vein of form.
#1 Edouard Mendy (7.33)
Edouard Mendy has started the 2021-22 season for Chelsea as he finished the last. He has been a vital cog in Thomas Tuchel's set-up at Stamford Bridge and has been instrumental to the consistency which the Blues have shown so far this season.
In eight appearances, the Senegal international has kept five cleansheets while conceding just thrice. On average, Mendy has made 3.3 saves per game so far, complementing well with the Chelsea backline, who have been exceptional this season.
Mendy will play an important role, like he did last season in the Champions League, if Chelsea are to mount a successful title challenge. Not just per ratings, but many in the footballing circles firmly believe that Mendy is currently the best goalkeeper.
