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The 2021-22 season has been full of action and every league has had its share of dramatic moments. Players across different positions, clubs and leagues and given some brilliant performances so far.
However, with the modern game shifting its focus on goalscorers, goalkeepers are being overlooked despite their heroics.
Goalkeepers are the backbone of any team
Goalkeepers can make a huge difference at times with a glancing save or even a fingertip. Anything that the shot-stopper does to prevent the opponent from scoring a goal is worth just as much as a goal scored.
Some keepers have failed to rescue their team in need. However, some have managed to take their game to the next level to secure crucial points for their side.
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On that note, let's take a look at five goalkeepers with the most saves this season (2012-22).
Note: Only Europe's Top 5 leagues are considered for the list
#5 Manuel Riemann (74 saves)
Manuel Riemann has been incredible for newly-promoted VfL Bochum in the Bundesliga this season. The German shot-stopper joined the club in 2015 and formed a vital part of the side that secured promotion to the top-flight this season.
He has played 18 out of 19 games for his Bochum this term and has been sensational in goal. His positional sense and ability to get off the ground quickly has allowed him to save multiple consecutive shots with relative ease. In doing so, Riemann has made a total of 74 saves between the posts, keeping six clean sheets.
This has resulted in the German side keeping the seventh best defense in the league despite being in 11th position in the table.
The 33-year-old is in the twilight of his career. But he could be the reason for Bochum securing a European spot if they perform well until the end of the campaign.
#4 David de Gea (74 saves)
David de Gea has rekindled himself as one of the best players in the Premier League this season. The Manchester United goalkeeper has been a vital reason for keeping the club within reach of the top four spot so far.
The Spaniard experienced a dip in form last season and it looked like Dean Henderson would replace him. But the 30-year-old stood his ground and has justified his selection ahead of his English deputy.
His performances against Wolverhampton Wanderers, Chelsea and Everton in particular were eye-catching this season. Although his positioning could use some work, he more than makes up for it with his acrobatic saves and quick reflexes. This has led to him making 74 saves in 20 appearances for the Red Devils.
While he has only managed four clean sheets this season, he has arguably been the best player at the club. If Manchester United manage to secure Champions League football for next season, De Gea is likely to be their player of the campaign.
#3 Yann Sommer (77 saves)
Borussia Monchengladbach have been awful in the Bundesliga this season but they could have been a lot worse without Yann Sommer. They sit in 12th position in the Bundesliga table. The Swiss international is in his eighth season at the German club but his performances have not dropped a beat.
Even at 33, his awareness and ability to thwart attackers remains integral to Gladbach's defensive shape. But the defense has been shambolic this season and Sommer has had to deal with plenty of 1v1 situations. He has come out on top in most scenarios, while he has also played as a sweeper in most games as his side keep a high line.
The shot-stopper has made 77 saves in 19 appearances this term, although he has only managed to keep two clean sheets.
The German club will look to improve their defensive performances in the second half of the campaign. With this, Sommer might also garner more clean sheets as his other statistics are already top-notch.
#2 Lukas Hradecky (82 saves)
Lukas Hradecky has arguably been the best shot-stopper in the Bundesliga this season. Bayer Leverkusen are third in the table thanks to their 32-year-old goalkeeper.
The Finland international has been brilliant for the club since joining in 2018 from Eintracht Frankfurt. His 6'3 statuture makes him a massive presence in the box and he is incredible when defending set-pieces. Hradecky excels at gobbling up crosses and claiming the ball before it reaches the head of an opponent.
Although he has not experienced several 1v1 situations, he has been called upon to save shots from outside the penalty box. This has enabled him to make a massive 82 saves in 19 appearances this season, with four clean sheets to his name.
Leverkusen have not excelled at defending this term, with major errors being conceded in the past two months. Despite all of that, they are in a good position to ensure Champions League football next season, with Hradecky a pivotal reason for it.
#1 Guglielmo Vicario (86 saves)
Guglielmo Vicario is deservedly top of the list after his impressive performances in Serie A this season. Empoli signed the 25-year-old on a year-long deal from Cagliari in the summer and he has been a terrific addition to their squad.
The Italian club have conceded the joint-second highest number of goals this season (43). But they would have been the worst defense in the league by far without Vicario.
The Italian ace has exceeded expectations this term through his miraculous finger tip saves and athleticism. Most of the shots he has faced this term have been low in the corners and his glancing reaches have saved Empoli on many occasions.
His performance in the 1-0 win over Juventus in August, in particular, was mind-blowing, earning crucial points for his side. Vicario has kept a mere three clean sheets in 21 appearances, but his mammoth 86 saves have been nothing short of heroic.
The newly-promoted side are comfortably above the relegation zone (11th) this season and are likely to stay up for another top-flight campaign. Their loanee deserves a lot of credit for it.
